Manisa tulips, which bloom every spring in red, yellow, white and pink, ornamenting Spil Mountain National Park, will increase their economic value with newly developing projects focused on the flower. Forestry and Water Affairs Ministry Fourth Region Director Rahmi Bayrak said they would hold a festival in honor of Manisa tulips to help them be recognized by the general public.As a part of this new initiative, the ministry prepared the Manisa Tulip Turkish Action Plan, and a workshop was held at the Manisa Spil Mountain National Park Visitor and Research Center. The workshop was overseen by Manisa Governor Erdoğan Bektaş, Celal Bayar University Chancellor Kemal Çelebi and Şehzadeler Municipality Mayor Ömer Faruk Çelik, along with Bayrak, academics and representatives of various institutions.Speaking at the workshop, Bayrak underscored the natural richness of Spil Mountain and claimed that the importance of Manisa tulips will be understood after further scientific studies are conducted. He said they prepared the action plan so that the public would recognize the flower, adding that the tulip might become a valuable financial asset for the region. "Manisa tulips can contribute to the region's tourism if we join forces with public offices, universities and nongovernmental organizations [NGOs]. A festival dedicated to Manisa tulips can be held here just like those in Cyprus, Elazığ and Istanbul. We can encourage tulip farming, which will promote Manisa tulips and also help to revive Manisa's economy," Bayrak said.Speaking at the end of the workshop, Bektaş said cultural assets that have brand value should be promoted. "Tulips were popular in the Ottoman Empire, and the Dutch took the flowers and adopted them in their country. Currently, they are selling tulips all over the world. Since the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality decided to decorate its parks with tulips, they are purchasing them from the Netherlands. The Dutch created incredible brand value, and now they are selling it to us," Bektaş said.