"I would like to congratulate the holding of the Golo Koe Festival. Hopefully, the series of events featured in this festival will succeed in boosting the number of tourist visits (to the region)," the minister stated in an official video broadcast received in Kupang on Friday.
The Golo Koe Festival in Labuan Bajo was initiated and is being organized by the Ruteng Diocese by collaborating with the government of West Manggarai, on August 10-15, 2023.
Furthermore, the festival is receiving support from the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF).
Minister Uno remarked that the holding of the religious festival serves as proof of collaboration between all stakeholders, including the government, churches, and communities, and aims to stimulate growth of the tourism and creative economy sectors in Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia's five DPSPs.
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Uno said he was keen to see the religious festival help religious communities boost their spirituality and solidarity while introducing Labuan Bajo's rich culture to national and international communities.
The minister further expressed hope that the religious festival would help the government in creating more job opportunities and boosting economic growth in the region.
"Long live Indonesia's tourism and creative economy!" he affirmed.
Earlier, on Thursday (August 10) evening, Head of West Manggarai District Edistasius Endi and Ruteng Bishop Siprianus Hormat officially inaugurated the Golo Koe Festival that features the exhibition of 152 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), music performances, and cultural activities.
The festival's peak event, a grand Mass, will be held later on August 15.
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Translator: Fransiska M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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