Bunaken Entrance Fee System

• Based on ground-breaking provincial laws, with agreement of PHKA (Dept of Nature Conservation)
• Fees reflect value of resource to user (willingness to pay)
• Designed with aspirations of tourism sector:
  • Practical and efficient system that does not inconvenience visitors, dive operators, or patrol team.
  • No per dive/ala carte charges – one time fee!
  • Revenues must remain with the park for local conservation programs
• Dual system
  • Foreign guests (numbered plastic tags): Rp 150,000/year (~$15)
  • Local guests (ticket) Rp 2500/trip (~$.25)
• Distribution of entrance fee revenues
  • 80% BNPMAB–specifically for Bunaken conservation programs
  • 20% local government – North Sulawesi, Minahasa district, Manado city, Jakarta
• Soft opening on 15 March 2001 – with auction
• Fully operational by 3 May 2001 after extensive socialization to tourism sector (meetings, articles, FAQ sheets, announcements, billboards).
• Entrance gates, patrol system to check compliance.
• In first year, collected ~$42,000 from 5194 foreign visitors and 9872 local visitors.
• In 2002, increased entrance fee from Rp 75,000/year to Rp 150,000/year
• Added one-day ticket for foreigners (~$7.5/day)
• Almost tripled the proceeds from 2001 with 2002 revenues of $109,305.

Visitors in Bunaken NP

Entrance Fee System Summary