REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has established Jember District, East Java Province as a carnival city in line with the 16th annual event of Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC).

"Everyone recognizes the world-class JFC and to make it happen the Ministry of Tourism establishes Jember as the carnival city," the minister said in a statement received by Antara here on Friday.

He said the 16th JFC 2017 under a theme of "Victory Unity in Diversity" has inspired many carnivals across the country.

"The establishment as the carnival city is aimed at supporting Jember goes international. If we want JFC to compete in global arena then Jember should be set to be a world-class carnival city," he said.

According to the minister, JFC creativity can bring in foreign tourists. "By making Jember a world-class carnival city, we can increase its commercial and financial values," he said.

The JFC has become a source of inspiration for designers to elevate traditional clothing that won a number of international awards such as Balinese costume that won the best national costume mister international in 2010.

In addition, Toraja Karembau costume earned the best national costume man huni international in 2011 in South Korea, Papuan costume achieved the best national costume mister universe model in Dominica Republic, and Kalimantan fashion won the best national costume miss supranational in 2014 in Poland.

Meanwhile, Lampung costume won the best national costume miss international 2014 in Japan and the best national costume miss grand international 2016 in the United States, and Toraja Tongkonan fashion won the best national costume miss supranational 2015 in Poland.

The other costumes are Borobudor fashion that won the best national costume of Miss Universe 2015 in Florida, USA, Betawi fashion reached the best national costume of miss international tourism 2016 in Malaysia, and Garuda costume was included in top five national costume miss universe 2016 in the Philippine.

"The portfolio of Indonesia's tourism business comes from a cultural attraction of 60 percent, nature 35 percent and human-made attraction of 5 percent. All are developed in MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition) tourism products," Minister Arief said.

Meanwhile, JFC President Dynand Fariz said JFC 2017 to be held on August 9-13, 2017 in Jember District feature exhibition, carnival, conference, and concert.

"The Victory theme in the 16th JFC describes Indonesia's victory in various world competitions," he said, adding that the theme of "Victory" illustrates the success of Indonesia that is able to unify the differences in the framework of a sovereign state.