By: Agnes Marcello, S.Tr.Stat, First Expert Statistician
RRI.CO.ID, Alor - Alor Regency is the true definition of a marine paradise in eastern Indonesia. With numerous iconic dive sites in the waters of Alor Regency offering extraordinary views and biodiversity, it has become a renowned diving destination. The visual beauty of marine mammals such as dolphins, whales, and the "Mawardi" dugong, which traverse the Pantar Strait, is not merely a tourist attraction, but an asset that serves as the foundation for the future of Alor Regency's regional economy.
Understanding Alor Regency's "blue economy" potential requires a thorough review of the structure of its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). Until 2025, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector will remain the mainstay, contributing 31.90% to the regency's total economy. Interestingly, although the primary sector dominates production, Alor Regency's expenditure is heavily influenced by household consumption, accounting for 69.95%.
This phenomenon is evident in the shift in expenditure structure during the 2021-2025 period. For years, Alor's economy has had a very large proportion of expenditure on household consumption (over 70%). However, by 2025, the annual Household Final Consumption figure was successfully reduced to 69.95%. This decline is in line with fundamental improvements in the Net Export component, where Alor's inter-regional trade deficit continues to narrow consistently from -62.75% in 2021 to -47.81% in 2025. This nearly 15 percent improvement in the trade balance demonstrates that various sectors, including the maritime sector, are beginning to transform into commodity-based industries capable of reducing dependence on goods from outside the region.
The latest data as of March 2025 shows a positive trend in welfare indicators, with the percentage of the poor declining to 18.29%. This decline indicates that economic activity is beginning to trickle down to the lower levels of society, but the continued high reliance on consumption indicates that the added value from the maritime sector has not yet fully settled and circulated within Alor Regency.
Behind these macro figures lies an economic pulse that largely remains under the administrative radar. Most blue economy actors in Alor Regency, from traditional fishermen on Pantar Island and seaweed farmers in Aimoli Village to freelance tour guides, operate informally. They represent the 25.45% of Alor Regency's population who are "Self-Employed," or independent entrepreneurs who are the main drivers of the grassroots economy.
The economic dependence of coastal communities on marine ecosystems is very real, but their contribution is often difficult to measure precisely due to the lack of formal transaction records. These economic activities are often "hidden" within households and are seasonal, dependent on ocean currents and tourist visits. Without in-depth data collection, the significant role these independent entrepreneurs play in maintaining regional economic resilience will remain speculative, making aid policies or infrastructure development often difficult to reach those most in need.
The 2026 Economic Census will be a crucial opportunity to accurately capture the extent to which the increase in tourist visits has truly had an economic impact. This census is designed to reach previously undetected sectors, such as online trade in local products and household-based tourism service activities. This activity will record the business characteristics, turnover, and profit margins of blue economy actors. This data is vital for the Alor Regency Government in planning strategic infrastructure.
With accurate data from the 2026 Economic Census, Alor Regency will no longer simply sell scenery, but will be able to professionally manage its marine economic "factory." The resulting figures will serve as the starting point for future investments, ensuring that Alor Regency's marine wealth truly translates into prosperity for all its people.
