... hope the Tomohon International Flower Festival is a success...Bali (ANTARA News) - An expert on marine tourism who is part of the tourism minister's staff, Syamsul Lussa, has expressed hope for Tomohon city in North Sulawesi to become the second Pasadena and use flowers to attract tourists.
"The local government laid the foundation eight years ago. We can now begin to move towards transforming Tomohon into the second Pasadena," Lussa said in Bali on Saturday.
Pasadena, a city in California, is known for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and the Tournament of Roses Parade, the biggest parade of floats of flowers, as a way to attract tourists.
According to Lussa, efforts to draw tourists to Tomohon city should not focus on culture alone but include other aspects, as well.
"Indonesia ranked first in terms of cultural and natural attractions, and today, there are new creations to attract tourists with flowers," he affirmed.
Moreover, he stated that to succeed in turning an area into a tourist attraction, the support of different ministries and the local government is required.
He added that organizing the Tomohon International Flower Festival, which was launched at Kuta Beach, gained strong support from the coordination forum of regional leaders.
"There are legislators who support the legality of the regulations, and now, the tourism potential must be packaged in a way that attracts tourists," he pointed out.
Lussa further noted that the Ministry of Tourism is responsible for promoting the existing tourism potential across the country.
"We hope the Tomohon International Flower Festival is a success," he remarked.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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