Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia is stepping up tourism risk governance in Labuan Bajo through a pilot project aimed at building a comprehensive insurance ecosystem, as visitor numbers surge and safety concerns persist, officials said.The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, in collaboration with PT Jasaraharja Putera, launched the initiative through a focus group discussion (FGD) held on Monday at the Golo Mori Convention Center in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.“Synergy between the government, industry and local authorities is key to ensuring safe, high-quality tourism,” Deputy for Industry, Manpower and Tourism Coordination Dida Gardera said in a statement on Wednesday.He said the program aligns with the Tourism Law and a 2025 ministerial regulation on risk-based business classification, aiming to strengthen protection across the tourism sector.Indonesia’s tourism safety challenges remain significant. The country ranked 54th globally in safety and security in the 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, while tourism-related accidents rose 28.57 percent in 2025.At the same time, Labuan Bajo — one of Indonesia’s priority destinations — has seen a sharp increase in visitors, from 60,439 in 2021 to 476,566 in 2025, underscoring the need for better risk management.West Manggarai Regional Secretary Fransiskus Sales Sodo said strengthening insurance coverage would enhance the quality and resilience of the local tourism industry.PT Jasaraharja Putera President Director Abdul Haris said the company is ready to improve risk literacy and tailor insurance products to destination-specific needs.“We aim to provide comprehensive protection that builds trust among tourists and industry players,” he said.The event also marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PT Jasaraharja Putera and the West Manggarai administration on tourism risk management and public liability insurance.Labuan Bajo is expected to become a pilot project that can be replicated in other priority destinations.