P2Komodo: Komodo Still Nominated as New7Wonders of Nature

Jakarta, Komodo Today - The Indonesian government had recently withdrawn the National Komodo Park (TNK) from the nomination of New7Wonders of Nature. But, in fact, Komodo is remain listed on the nomination of 28 wonders of nature participants.

“Komodo is still listed on New7wonders nomination," Eamonn Fitzgerald, communication head of New7Wonders, said in an official letter to Komodo Official Supporting Committee (P2Komodo) dated August 17, 2011.

As found in New7Wonders website, Komodo National Park is remain listed as one nominator from total 28 participants. The voting period is scheduled to end by November 11, 2011.

Emmy Hafidl, P2Komodo chairman, said in a press briefin on Friday (August 19) that P2Komodo is very disappointed to the government's decision to revoke Komodo from New7Wonders finalist.

Emmy reveals that New7Wonders is a credible institution as it had gained respects from international political figures, world celebrities as well as the United Nation.

"For us, the main concern is to win Komodo for New7Wonders because this will impact positively on the country's economy, especially local community," Emmy was quoted as saying.

Komodo Withdrawn from Seven Wonders Nomination

Jakarta, Komodo Today - The Indonesian Tourism and Culture Ministry had in August 15, 2011 announced it had decided to withdraw Taman Nasional Komodo (Komodo National Park) from new seven wonder (N7W) of nature nomination due to lack of financial support to become host or organizer for declaration of the finalists.

Jero Wacik, tourism and culture minister, said N7W Foundation had required Indonesia to pay license fee for host amounting US$10 million and for organizer US$35 million.

"The decision to withdraw was made as the N7W Campaign Committee of N7W Foundation is not professional, inconsistent, not transparant and has no credibility in building understanding with the Indonesian government," he said.

Jero Wacik however stated that Komodo National Park is remain one of world heritage, crown by UNESCO in 1991, even it fails to enter N7W finalist.

Indonesia has undertaken a series of offline and online campaign for voting Komodo and had successfully entered 28 finalists nomination, from total 440 nominators from 220 countries.

Sapta Nirwandar, marketing general director at tourism and culture ministry, said Komodo National Park as N7W finalist had been intensively promoted to international community during past 3 years.

"We recorded a high growth of foreign visitors to Komodo destination in the past three years," he said, noting Komodo National Park recorded 45,000 foreign visitors in 2010, increased 25% from 36,000 in 2009, or surged 181% from 16,000 in 2007.