Apresiasi Kreasi Indonesia (AKI) 2024 took place in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The event, themed 'Kreasi', is being held in 12 cities/regencies across Indonesia, including Labuan Bajo. This strategic program by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) aims to enhance the capacity and showcase the work of creative economy actors in culinary, crafts, fashion, applications, games, film, and music. Director of Culinary, Craft, Design, and Fashion, Yuke Sri Rahayu, emphasized that AKI provides a platform for creative economy participants to build networks and promote their products. "For the 30 participants at today's AKI Bootcamp, use this opportunity to establish communication networks and promote your products. Participants will also learn to create pitch decks to scale their businesses," Yuke stated on May 29, 2024. The AKI program is divided into three stages: a capacity-building bootcamp for creative economy actors, product exhibitions in 12 cities, and a peak week culminating in a National Festival featuring selected participants from these cities. "In 2024, there is a special export class for AKI alumni from 2021-2023, involving 40 participants in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade," Yuke added.
Jagues Zanzibar Marbun, Head of the Investment Division of the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Agency (BPOLBF), noted that 30 participants were selected from over 200 applicants for the AKI Labuan Bajo Bootcamp. These participants will have opportunities to join exhibitions both domestically and internationally. Jagues also highlighted the need for various art and cultural performances and other attractions in Labuan Bajo. He hopes AKI 2024 will foster local talents, enhancing land-based activities in the city and its surroundings, thus encouraging tourists to enjoy the urban atmosphere and attractions. "We have programs like the Floratama Academy, which impacts the community directly. This year, we will focus on three regencies: Manggarai, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai," he added. Stefanus Jemsifori, Head of Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture of West Manggarai, appreciated Kemenparekraf's initiation of AKI 2024 in Labuan Bajo. "Participants are expected to apply the knowledge provided and implement it in their respective subsectors, such as culinary, crafts, fashion, music, film, animation, applications, and games," he concluded.
