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Bitung, North Sulawesi hosts Lembeh Strait Charm Festival 2017
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Seeing red: A participant from North Sulawesi group performs a Manadonese war dance. (JP/Aman Rochman)
Bitung city in North Sulawesi is currently hosting the Lembeh Strait Charm Festival (FPSL) 2017 which runs from October 6 until 10.
“This event shows how prosperous the marine potential in Lembeh Strait that covers a total area of 7.5 kilometers. With this potential and the FPSL event I believe that Bitung will attract more overseas tourists,” said Bitung mayor Maximillan Jonas Lomban.
“Thank you for the support from the tourism ministry who gives us more than 1,000 percent support for this event as well as for the Navy, this collaboration provides safety and comfort for tourists who come to Bitung,” added Maximillan.
FSPL is being held to commemorate the 27th anniversary of Bitung. The event showcases more than 1,221 ships consisting of three Indonesian ships, trade ships and fisherman ships.
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“Lembeh Strait is one of the world’s best diving spots, this can motivate the administration of Bitung to develop the marine tourism more that in turn will move the economic cycle of the locals,” explained tourism ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy, Esthy Reko Astuti.
The event also features other activities such as 10K-run, art and culture performances and competitions, underwater and landscape photography competitions, culinary festival, Lembeh Strait swimming competition, decorated boats parade and competition, an attempt to break MURI record for the biggest Manekin, yacht parade, tuna festival and Bitung anniversary celebration for the finale.
The tourism ministry has set Bitung as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) area since the city is located in the Pacific Rim area.
Last year, North Sulawesi welcomed 1.8 million local tourists and 30,000 international tourists with 13,019 of the local tourists and 20,133 of the international tourists visited Bitung. (asw)
