Flores Positions Itself as a Leading Religious Tourism Destination

TheIndonesia.co - The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF) is championing the vision of turning Flores Island into one of Indonesia’s most prominent destinations for religious tourism, inviting both domestic and international travellers to explore its deep spiritual traditions, cultural richness, and stunning natural landscapes.

In a significant move toward this goal, BPOLBF recently held the Virtual Table Top Business Meeting: Pilgrimage Tourism Flores – East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on May 15th, 2025.

According to Antara News Agency, the online event connected six domestic tour buyers with six local tourism sellers from across Flores, aiming to promote integrated pilgrimage travel experiences. The meeting also marked a business success, recording a potential transaction value of Rp16.69 billion, a clear sign of growing market interest in spiritual-themed tourism.

"Flores is home to many sacred sites that live in harmony with unique local traditions," said Frans Teguh, Acting Director of BPOLBF. "We see a strong opportunity to position Flores not just as a scenic destination, but as a meaningful space where faith, culture, and nature converge."

Flores, distinct from much of Indonesia’s predominantly Muslim archipelago, has long been known as a stronghold of Christian—especially Catholic—traditions, dating back to Portuguese missionary influence in the 16th century. Yet it is not just the religious heritage that makes Flores stand out—it’s how faith is deeply woven into everyday life, giving visitors a rare opportunity to witness living traditions of devotion.

In places like Larantuka, religious life permeates the atmosphere. Semana Santa, the island’s most iconic spiritual festival, is held during Holy Week and draws thousands of pilgrims. The event, rich in liturgy, candlelit processions, and ancestral rituals, gives the town a feel reminiscent of southern Europe or even a small town in the Philippines, where Catholicism blends with indigenous practices and community spirit. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.

Another key site is the Gua Maria Lourdes of Larantuka, a grotto modeled after the famous Lourdes in France. The peaceful hillside location offers space for personal reflection and prayer, surrounded by panoramic views of Flores’s lush terrain. Pilgrims often visit chapels like Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana, local symbols of faith that carry both religious and historical significance.

But Flores is not only a land of churches and ceremonies. Tour operators are now curating holistic pilgrimage packages that combine spiritual stops with cultural experiences, ecotourism, and heritage exploration. These journeys take travelers into traditional villages, through sacred forests, and along pristine coastlines, adding depth and variety to the pilgrimage route.

Participating tour operators included trusted local names like PT Flores Komodo Tour, PT Roland Travel and Tour, Angel Spirit Floresta Tour, and Oceanna Tour. Buyers such as PT Dwidaya Wisata Indonesia and OneAsia Tours are already looking to integrate Flores into their religious and cultural travel offerings.

The meeting also reflected a broader shift in tourism demand—travelers today are increasingly seeking purpose-driven experiences that offer more than sightseeing. Flores provides this through a sacred yet welcoming environment, offering both spiritual enrichment and a deeper understanding of Indonesian diversity.

As BPOLBF continues to invest in sustainable, thematic tourism, Flores is emerging as a spiritual and cultural sanctuary—a destination that’s just as enriching for the soul as it is for the senses. With its blend of faith, tradition, and natural grandeur, Flores stands as a reminder that Indonesia’s spiritual landscape is as diverse and beautiful as its geography.