TEMPO.CO, Makassar-Chairman of Toraja DMO Luther Barrung said a Toraja International Coffee Festival will be held in 2016 to introduce agro potential.

“The event will later be attended by about 300 participants from around the globe,” Luther told Tempo after a Toraja DMO media gathering at Santika Hotel on Thursday, December 4.

Luther says Toraja is known for its cultural tourism, and has now shifted to natural tourism and agro as time goes by, therefore an intriguing package is necessary. Toraja is renown for its expensive and delicious coffee.

“However, participants will later be taken to a coffee plantation, and direcly witness coffee trees and etc. This event will become a new market segment. Even the South Sulawesi Tourism Service has asked to create its concept,” said Luther.

Vice Chairman of Toraja DMO Promotion and Marketing Working Group Yohan Tangkelsalu said the event is an attempt to elevate toraja coffee by providing new innovation.

“There will be a barista competition in mixing Toraja coffee with a touch of creativity. We expect there will be a new market that can attract tourist visit to Toraja with this event,” he said.

Destination and Community Empowerment Governance Staff to the Tourism and Cultural Ministry Fery Suprapto said various events have been prepared besides Toraja International Coffee Festival in 2016. The event will be done annually.

IIN NURFAHRAENI DEWI PUTRI