Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Supports Tomohon as a Globally Competitive City of Flowers

Jakarta, August 10, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Irene Umar, expressed her appreciation for the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) 2026. The event demonstrates Tomohon's commitment to bringing its local identity rooted in floriculture to the international stage.

Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Irene Umar (fifth from right), speaks with North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus (third from left) while attending the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Saturday (8/8/2026).

“This festival shows how a small city like Tomohon can make its mark on the global stage, not only as a city of flowers but also as a city with specialties such as Kulo Chrysanthemum and Riri Chrysanthemum. I hope that in the future, we will see more international and domestic visitors coming here,” said the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy while attending the opening of TIFF 2026 in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, on Saturday (8/8).

Held annually since 2008, the festival features a Tournament of Flowers, a parade of 35 vehicles decorated with fresh flowers supplied by local farmers. The festival also includes a tourism exhibition, cultural performances, and initiatives empowering local businesses to promote Tomohon as a city of flowers.

Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.

“The impact is certainly significant. People come here not only to watch the festival, but also to participate in business-to-business (B2B) matching, trade, and investment activities taking place here,” said the Deputy Minister of Creative Economy.

The event not only strengthens Tomohon's tourism appeal but also creates opportunities for economic activity across various sectors, ranging from floriculture, handicrafts, and culinary businesses to hospitality and transportation. In line with this, the Ministry of Creative Economy is committed to encouraging regions to develop their local potential and flagship products into creative economy strengths with added value and global competitiveness.

Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.

It is from this local richness that a creative economy ecosystem can grow, creating business and employment opportunities while strengthening the role of the creative economy as a new engine of national economic growth, starting from the regions.

Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency