Fee rise to see Komodo dragons triggers strike by Indonesian tourism workers

Hundreds of angry workers say government's 18-times increase will deter tourists and destroy incomes

Hundreds of Indonesian tourism workers have gone on strike over a hefty increase in ticket prices to see the country's Komodo dragons, a rise the government says is needed to preserve the habitat of the world's largest lizard.

The fee to access two of the main islands of Komodo national park shot up 18 times overnight to 3.75m rupiah (205) on Monday, a jump that local workers said would scare off tourists and cause their incomes to dry up.