A group of 11 foreign tourists who had refused to pay the remaining balance for their Komodo National Park tour package ended up settling their debt of Rp 19 million, reportedly out of concern they might face police involvement.
The payment was transferred into the tour operator’s bank account in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), after the group had already been reported to police.
A Quick Turnaround After a Police Visit
The payment was made on the morning of Tuesday, September 22, 2026, just hours after police visited the tourists’ accommodation on Monday night, September 21.
“They paid this morning. Paid in full,” said tour operator Ferdinand on Tuesday morning, September 22.
Ferdinand said he had no direct communication with the tour group after police visited their lodging. Then, on Tuesday morning, a payment of Rp 19 million suddenly appeared in his account.
Ferdinand suspects the group grew concerned after being approached by police. “Maybe they got scared,” he said.
What Happened Before the Payment
As previously reported, this multinational group of tourists had only paid a down payment of Rp 1 million out of a total tour package cost of Rp 20 million. They reportedly refused to settle the remaining balance after completing a one-day trip to Komodo National Park on Monday.
Ferdinand subsequently filed a report with the West Manggarai Police on Monday night. Police then visited the group’s accommodation, but were unable to meet with the tourists directly, as they had already gone to rest for the night.
What the Tour Package Included
According to Ferdinand, the group had booked a small speedboat package priced at Rp 20 million, which included lunch and round-trip transportation between their hotel and the harbor.
During the trip, the group visited several destinations within and around Komodo National Park, including Padar Island, Pink Beach, Manta Point, and Kelor Island. A request to also visit Mawan Island was accommodated as well.
However, after completing the trip, the group refused to pay the remaining balance, citing several complaints.
“Their reasons were that the speedboat was too small, the air conditioning wasn’t cold enough, meals were served on the boat, and the sea water had receded,” Ferdinand explained.
What This Means for Travelers and Tour Operators
This case is a useful reminder for both sides of the tour booking relationship. For travelers, it’s worth clarifying exactly what a tour package includes, boat size, AC, meal arrangements, and destination access, before booking, and raising concerns during the trip rather than after it’s completed, so issues can potentially be resolved on the spot. For tour operators, having clear written agreements on payment terms and service expectations can help avoid disputes like this one from escalating to police involvement in the first place.
