The Karo administration in North Sumatra will hold the annual Flowers and Fruits Festival at Mejuah-Juah Park from Friday to Sunday.

This year’s iteration of the festival is set to feature various activities for the public, such as a flower arrangement competition, fruit and vegetable sculpting competition and fashion show. 

Karo Regent Terkelin Bahmana said he expected the festival to attract international tourists and also expressed hope that it could gain international recognition. 

“We expect that the Flowers and Fruits Festival will go international soon, improving local tourism in Karo,” Terkelin said during a press conference on Tuesday. 

Separately, Karo Tourism Agency head Mulia Barus said he was optimistic that this year’s festival would be attended by around 12,000 tourists, including those visiting from abroad. Furthermore, he said the festival’s success would send a message to the public that tourism in Karo was not threatened by the volcanic Mount Sinabung.

Mulia went on to say that the agency had recorded an increase in domestic and international tourist arrivals in Karo over the last several months. He attributed the rising trend of tourist arrivals to the decrease of volcanic activity at Mount Sinabung, which has largely been dormant since March last year.

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The regency recorded 700,000 tourist arrivals in November last year, a 30 percent increase from the previous year. 

“I’m confident that more tourists will visit Karo now that Mount Sinabung is no longer active,” Mulia told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the local tourist sector also shared the optimism.

Simalem Resort general manager Eddy Tanoto said he was certain that this year’s Flowers and Fruits Festival would be a golden opportunity to introduce the regency to the world. 

“I’m sure this year’s festival will be even more festive to appeal to both domestic and international tourists,” Eddy said, adding that he would also set up stands and colorful floats at the event. (rfa/wng)