Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf)/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, B.B.A., M.B.A., expressed his appreciation for the strategic collaboration between Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Bank Nusa Tenggara Timur (Bank NTT) in the development of Kopi Tuang, a superior product from Paroki Colol UMKM, East Manggarai, NTT. This award was presented directly by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy when visiting the Kopi Tuang outlet at the 2024 Golo Koe Festival, which took place in Labuan Bajo.
He further said tourist destinations without the support of the creative industry will be difficult to develop as both are interrelated. For this reason, synergy between the two is very important in tourism development programs in an area. “The sensitivity of the community, especially the younger generation, is needed to answer these challenges, therefore I appreciate UI and Bank NTT who have contributed to tourism development in NTT through mentoring the creative industry of the community in Paroki Colol,” said Sandiaga.
He added that in order for a linkage between the two to occur, a creative industry development strategy is needed to support tourist destinations. This is driven by creative knowledge, through the management of something to see, something to do, and something to buy. “The Kopi Tuang industry owned by the Colol Paroki UMKM has become an example of how the community responds to tourism development in the NTT region,” said Sandiaga.
Dwi Kristianto, M.Kesos., from Universitas Indonesia emphasized that the branding of the Colol Valley as a center for people’s coffee plantations is expected to be a reference in the development of creative industries in the region. “The development of creative industries must be rooted in local culture and traditions with the principles of sustainability. This is an important step in building product identity and regional identity,” said Dwi.
Meanwhile, the Head of the NTT Borong Bank Branch, Janet A. Wie Lawa, expressed hope that this collaboration could continue to support the development of UMKM in the NTT Bank work area. In line with that, Romo Pastor of the St. Petrus Colol, RD. Vitalis Salung, Pr, also expressed his gratitude to UI and Bank NTT for the assistance that had been provided. “With this assistance, Kopi Tuang has become widely known and has attracted many orders. The impact is very positive, not only for the congregation of St. Petrus Colol, but also for the introduction of the Colol Valley as a leading community coffee plantation area in Flores,” said Romo Pastor.
The Golo Koe Festival, which is an annual religious tourism festival, is organized by the Catholic Church of the Ruteng Diocese in collaboration with the West Manggarai Regency Government. This year, the Golo Koe Festival is one of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), which has been named a national event. This festival has received full support from the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementing Agency (BPOLBF) and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
During the festival which took place from August 10 to 15, 2024, as many as 170 UMKMs (MSMEs) participated, exhibiting their superior products at the Marina Waterfront Port, Labuan Bajo. The presence of Kopi Tuang at this event is real evidence of the synergistic efforts of various parties in supporting the growth of the creative economy in NTT, while also advancing local tourism potential.
