Indonesia Boosts Dive Safety Standards in Labuan Bajo Initiative

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Divers Alert Network (DAN), officially concluded its nationwide Diving Safety 1,000 initiative in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday, April 17, 2026. The program equips frontline dive professionals with world-class emergency response skills.

Through this initiative, it aims to transform Indonesia’s underwater destinations into the safest diving environments in the world. The final leg of the initiative, held on April 15, 2026, brought together 50 specialists from the Komodo Professional Divers Association (P3KOM) and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

Assistant Deputy for Tourism Product Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Itok Parikesit, emphasized that maintaining rigorous safety standards is no longer optional but a fundamental requirement for global competitiveness.

“This activity is categorized as a medium to high-risk tourism business. Therefore, safety standards must be continuously strengthened so that our destinations remain safe for both domestic and international tourists,” said Itok in an official release, as quoted by Antara.

The training covered critical survival maneuvers, including Basic Life Support, CPR, and Emergency Oxygen Provider protocols, delivered by professional instructors from the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI).

This rigorous curriculum is designed to fulfill the mandate of the 2025–2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN), which positions Labuan Bajo as a world-class marine-based priority destination.

“In line with the mandate of the RPJPN 2025–2045, Labuan Bajo is prepared as a Priority Tourism Destination with a focus on world-class marine-based tourism development. In line with this, increasing diving safety and security is a primary prerequisite that must be met,” explained Itok.

Beyond technical skills, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to zero accidents and ecological preservation. DAN President and CEO, Cliff Richardson, highlighted that the impact of this program transcends mere statistics.

“Safety is at the core of everything we do at Divers Alert Network. The success of the 1,000 beneficiaries in 1,000 days initiative is not just about numbers, but about lives protected and the promotion of world-class safety standards in Indonesia,” remarked Cliff.

Local leaders have welcomed the central government's focus on the region. President Director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Agency, Andhy MT Marpaung, noted that professional human resources are the foundation of sustainable tourism.

Through this collaboration, Indonesia has successfully reached its target of 1,000 beneficiaries across its most iconic diving spots, including Bali, Manado, Raja Ampat, and the Thousand Islands.

The ultimate goal remains clear: ensuring that every traveler visiting Labuan Bajo returns home with beautiful memories and the peace of mind that comes from a truly professional safety ecosystem. ***