Flores Island Poised to Become a Hub for Catholic Tourism
20-05-24
Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, has recently expressed great optimism for Flores Island's potential. During a webinar on Friday, May 17, titled “Potential and Strategy for Development of Catholic Religious Tourism in Flores Island,” Uno shared his vision for elevating Flores Island as a prominent destination for Catholic religious tourism, aiming to place Indonesia on the global map of religious travel.
Uno drew parallels to the development of super-priority destinations such as Borobudur Temple for Buddhists and the Wali Songo Tomb pilgrimage for Muslims in East Java. He emphasized Flores Island's historical significance as a missionary center, which has since evolved into a unique religious tourism site through the blending of Catholic traditions with local culture. This integration is evident in various facets, including church architecture, musical arts, and religious rituals.
"All of this could transform Flores Island into a religious tourism destination rich in historical and spiritual values," Uno remarked.
In the broader scope, promoting Flores Island as a premier Catholic tourism spot could also enhance Labuan Bajo—a fishing town on Flores's western tip and already a popular tourist location—making it one of Indonesia's most sought-after travel destinations. By showcasing the Catholic heritage and spiritual significance of Flores Island, visitors might be inspired to explore beyond Labuan Bajo.
Uno's comments followed the recent upgrade of Labuan Bajo’s Komodo International Airport to international status by the Ministry of Transportation in April. "We are developing airport facilities to accommodate one million tourist visits to Labuan Bajo, but we must encourage tourists to explore not only Komodo Island but also the eastern region of Flores Island," Uno concluded.
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