DOMPU, NTB – The crystalline waters and the unique saltwater lake of Pulau Satonda have long cemented the island’s status as a jewel of Indonesia’s tourism crown. Located in the Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) province and administratively under the jurisdiction of the Dompu Regency, the island is a sanctuary for divers, snorkelers, and adventure seekers. However, beneath the veneer of its natural splendor lies a growing administrative and economic crisis: the island has become a "free-access zone" for foreign tourists, resulting in significant revenue losses for the local government. As international tourism rebounds, the Dompu Regency government has voiced mounting frustration over the unchecked influx of foreign travelers. Despite the island’s popularity, the local administration reports that they are systematically bypassed by tour operators, leading to a complete absence of communication and, more critically, a total lack of retribution payments that should be supporting the local economy. The Anatomy of a Revenue Leakage For the local government of Dompu, the situation at Pulau Satonda is not merely a matter of administrative oversight; it is an issue of sovereignty and economic sustainability. Despite being the primary stakeholder responsible for the island’s management and preservation, the Dompu Regency government finds itself a silent spectator to a thriving tourism industry that refuses to acknowledge its presence. The Missing Contribution The core of the dispute lies in the disconnect between the tour operators—most of whom are based outside of Dompu—and the local regulatory framework. According to Feri Afrodi, Secretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism (Disbudpar) for Dompu, the government is effectively "blind" to the schedule of these visitors. "The tour guides never communicate with us before they arrive. Because there is no formal coordination, they enter and exit the island as they please, completely circumventing our local systems," Feri stated on Saturday (August 29). This lack of coordination ensures that not a single cent of the tourism revenue generated by these foreign visitors trickles down into the Dompu regional budget. While tourists pay hefty sums to travel agencies for premium packages—which often include luxury boat transfers and guided expeditions—the local government, which carries the burden of maintaining the island’s environment, receives nothing in return. Chronology of Neglect: From Independent Discovery to Organized Exploitation The transformation of Pulau Satonda from a remote hidden gem into a high-traffic destination has occurred rapidly over the last decade. Historically, the island was visited by small groups of backpackers. However, the rise of "live-aboard" cruises and island-hopping tours from major tourism hubs has fundamentally changed the visitor demographic. The Shift in Operations In the early stages, tourism to Satonda was sporadic and manageable. As the island gained international recognition for its underwater biodiversity—featuring vibrant coral reefs and the rare saltwater lake formed by the eruption of Mount Tambora—tour operators identified a lucrative niche. Phase 1 (The Exploratory Era): Small-scale tourism handled by local boatmen from Dompu provided some economic stability to local villagers. Phase 2 (The Commercial Shift): Large-scale travel agencies from Sumbawa, Lombok, and Bali began incorporating Satonda into their high-end travel itineraries. Phase 3 (The Unregulated Status Quo): Currently, the island is treated as a "waypoint" by cruise liners and speedboats originating from outside the regency. These operators offer comprehensive "all-inclusive" packages that ensure tourists never need to step foot on the mainland of Dompu. By centralizing the logistics, these external agencies have effectively walled off the island from the local economy. Tourists arrive via private vessels, spend the day diving, trekking, or swimming, and depart back to their hubs in Bali or Lombok without ever contributing to the local community or the regional coffers. Supporting Data: The Scale of the Disruption The severity of the situation is reflected in the numbers provided by local authorities. Through collaborative monitoring efforts between the Disbudpar of Dompu and the Bima Immigration Office, the scale of the traffic has been quantified. The Volume of Unregulated Traffic On average, approximately 10 cruise ships and numerous high-speed motorboats anchor at Pulau Satonda every month. These vessels carry hundreds of international tourists, all of whom are engaging in high-value activities such as: Deep-sea diving and snorkeling: Utilizing the island’s protected reef systems. Trekking: Exploring the island’s interior trails. Saltwater Lake Immersion: Visiting the unique geographical phenomenon at the island’s center. Despite this consistent flow of high-spending visitors, the Disbudpar’s coffers remain empty. The "leakage" of revenue is total; because these tourists are considered "in-transit" by the tour operators, there is no requirement for them to register with local authorities, nor is there a mechanism to collect entry fees or environmental levies. Official Responses and the Policy Vacuum The frustration within the Dompu administration is palpable. Feri Afrodi admits that the government is currently powerless to intervene because the existing legal framework is insufficient to address the unique challenges of maritime tourism at the regency level. The "Regret" of Regulation "We do not have the regulatory teeth to put pressure on these operators," Feri lamented. "We need a robust policy that mandates a retribution fee for every single vessel and every single foreign visitor that sets foot on, or even anchors near, Pulau Satonda." The current administrative gap highlights a common issue in Indonesia’s decentralized tourism sector: the inability of smaller regencies to enforce maritime jurisdiction against powerful, well-connected tour operators based in major urban tourism centers. Without a regional regulation (Perda) that explicitly dictates the payment of fees for maritime entry into island sites, the government is left in a legal limbo. Implications: The Long-Term Cost of Inaction The failure to capture revenue from Pulau Satonda has far-reaching implications for the region. These are not limited to the loss of immediate tax income but extend to environmental and social concerns. 1. Environmental Degradation Tourism, if unregulated, is inherently extractive. The increase in boat traffic, the anchoring of large vessels, and the high volume of human waste generated by these tours pose a direct threat to the fragile ecosystem of Satonda. Without a collected retribution fee, there is no dedicated fund for the maintenance, waste management, or reef protection of the island. The local government is expected to preserve the island, yet they are provided with zero resources from the very industry that is utilizing it. 2. The Stunted Growth of Local Industry Because external agencies manage the entire experience, the local businesses in Dompu—such as local boatmen, guides, and hospitality providers—are being systematically marginalized. The tourism "leakage" means that the wealth generated by the beauty of Dompu is being siphoned off to corporate entities in Bali or Lombok, leaving the people of Dompu with the environmental costs but none of the financial benefits. 3. Security and Immigration Concerns Beyond the economic loss, the freedom of movement for foreign nationals on an island that serves as a border-adjacent territory presents a potential monitoring challenge. While the Bima Immigration office is aware of the traffic, the lack of a formal port of entry system at Satonda means that authorities have a limited grasp on the exact movements and safety of these tourists. The Path Forward: Towards a Sustainable Future The Dompu Regency government is now at a crossroads. To reclaim its role as the guardian and benefactor of Pulau Satonda, the administration must prioritize the development of a comprehensive management strategy. Proposed Solutions: Legislative Action: The most urgent requirement is the drafting and ratification of a local regulation (Perda) that defines the legal status of tourism activity on the island and mandates an entry fee for all commercial vessels. Public-Private Partnerships: Rather than viewing all outside operators as adversaries, the Dompu government could look to formalize partnerships with legitimate travel agencies. By providing them with a clear, legal framework to operate within, the government can ensure compliance and revenue flow. On-Site Infrastructure: The establishment of a small, formal checkpoint or visitor center on the island would allow the local government to monitor arrivals, collect fees, and enforce safety and environmental standards. Inter-Regional Coordination: Given that many operators are based in other regencies or provinces, the Dompu government may need to engage the NTB provincial government to facilitate inter-regional agreements that standardize tourism fees and reporting requirements. Conclusion Pulau Satonda is a testament to the natural wonder of Indonesia, yet it currently serves as a cautionary tale for the mismanagement of tourism resources. The "free-access" era must come to an end if the Dompu Regency is to thrive. By closing the legislative gaps and asserting control over the island’s commercial utilization, the local government can ensure that the beauty of Satonda does not just enrich external operators, but provides a tangible, sustainable future for the people of Dompu. The clock is ticking, and for every cruise ship that anchors without a fee, a piece of the region’s potential revenue is lost to the tides. 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