Tomohon International Flower Festival to be held on August 2017

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Tourism Ministry’s secretary to the national tourism promotion development deputy Mumus Muslim, North Sulawesi governor Olly Dondokambey, and Tomohon mayor Jimmy Eman launched the 7th Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) 2017 at the Tourism Ministry’s office in Jakarta, Sunday (5/21).

The annual event slated on Aug. 7—12 in Tomohon, North Sulawesi is an effort to promote Tomohon tourism destinations and support “North SulaWeSee” program. The city has culture, nature, and artificial tourism potentials.

“The festival is one of the strategies to promote North Sulawesi province which is famous for Bunaken marine park. I hope Tomohon will be known by tourists as the capital of flower industry,” said Mumus. 

North Sulawesi governor Olly Dondokambey said TIFF 2017 is a Tomohon city government’s grand event to succeed Tourism Ministry’s program “Wonderful Indonesia” and North Sulawesi provincial government’s program “North SulaWeSee.” This ecotourism event will also stimulate local economic actors, particularly flower farmers and florists. “Flowers and decorative plants are part of Tomohon people’s culture and tourism potentials that can increase their welfare,” said Olly.

Meanwhile, Tomohon mayor Jimmy Eman said that TIFF 2017 will be held under the theme “The 7 Wonders of Tomohon” to promote its seven natural tourism potentials. The area has seven mountains, namely Lokong, Empung, Tatawiran, Mahawu, Tampusu, Masarang, and Kasuratan; seven lakes—Tampusu, Linow, Pangolombian, Sineleyan, Panunuzaen, Linow Oki, and Kasewean; as well as seven waterfalls—Tapahan Rinokrok, Tumimperas, Regesan, Ranowwa, Tekaan Telu, Kanderawatu, and Kinapesutan.  

“Tomohon is a hidden paradise that has beautiful flowers and natural sceneries,” said Jimmy. 

The organizing committee has arranged five major events throughout the festival. The first is Flowers Parade which will show flower floats from the representatives of foreign countries, local governments across Indonesia, state and regional government-owned enterprises, and private companies on Aug. 8.

The second will be Archipelagic Flower Beauty Pageant aimed to develop the talent and love of Indonesian women across the country on flowers on Aug. 7—10. The third is Tomohon Flower Carnival which will showcase flowers and creative fashions designed by local and national designers on Aug. 8.

The fourth event is Archipelagic Art and Culture Performances on Aug. 8—12. The fifth event is Tourism, Trade, Investment, and Floriculture Expo which will exhibit floriculture, flower garden landscaping, and tourism, trade, and investment potentials.

TIFF 2017 launching event and press conference were preceded by mini floats and Kabasaran Dance parade that drew the public attention. The parade started at Hotel Indonesia traffic circle at Jalan M.H. Thamrin and ended at Tourism Ministry’s Sapta Pesona building at Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta on the Car Free Day.

Initially, the festival was a biennale event which was held in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. However, it was changed into annual event in 2015. In 2014, it was participated by 37 floats from the representatives of regional governments, government and private-owned companies, and six foreign participants from the United States, Russia, France, Philippines, Thailand, and Hong Kong. (Translator: Filmon Warouw)