Minister of Religious Affairs hopes Pesparawi in Manokwari will boost local economic activity
The Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, hopes that the hosting of the XIV National Church Choir Festival (Pesparawi) in Manokwari, West Papua, can provide a significant economic impact for the local community through increased activity in the services, trade, and tourism sectors.
“Experience from various religious activities such as MTQ, Pesparawi, and Pesparani shows that the economic impact is very large. That is why many regions wish to be hosts,” said Minister Nasaruddin Umar during the kick-off of Pesparani XIV in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Pesparawi is scheduled to be held in Manokwari, West Papua, from 18 to 28 June 2026. Approximately 5,000 people are expected to attend as contingents from 38 provinces across Indonesia.
The Minister stated that the arrival of thousands of participants and accompanying officials for this national event will increase the circulation of money in the region, covering needs such as accommodation, consumption, transportation, and general local spending.
He explained that hosting national-scale events can create business opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs and community members who do not yet have a fixed source of income. According to the Minister, the increased demand for various products and services during Pesparawi serves as a form of economic empowerment for small-scale communities, which should be encouraged by local governments.
In addition to the direct economic impact, the XIV National Pesparawi also serves as a promotional tool for West Papua’s tourism potential to participants arriving from various provinces in Indonesia. Minister Nasaruddin noted that Manokwari possesses many attractive natural tourist destinations that are not yet widely known to the public.
He explained that the selection of Manokwari as the host for this national event was based on several considerations, including infrastructure readiness and the region’s capacity to accommodate participants. One key aspect of concern is the availability of accommodation for the thousands of participants expected during the event.
The Minister expressed his appreciation for the West Papua Provincial Government’s proactive steps in anticipating the potential surge in visitors during the XIV National Pesparawi. “We are grateful because the local government is very active in anticipating a potential explosion of visitors. The local community is also ready to provide support,” said Nasaruddin Umar.