Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is looking to tap into the rich tourism potential of the area surrounding Lake Toba in North Sumatra by engaging local communities.

In a statement issued on Friday, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said she had visited several tourist sites in Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra, to assess the region’s tourism prospects.

She said she was impressed by the stunning views of Lake Toba from the Sipinsur Geosite, explored Sisingamangaraja Castle, and visited the 30-meter-high Air Terjun Janji waterfall.

At the waterfall, she recalled, King Sisingamangaraja once summoned three Batak leaders — King Manullang, King Sinambela, and King Marbun.

The deputy minister also visited the terraced rice fields of Huta Banjar Tonga and sampled mie gomak, a traditional local noodle dish.

"I see great potential in Humbang Hasundutan district," Puspa remarked.

To maximize this potential, she emphasized the need for collaboration in tourism management and training to raise local awareness about the area's tourism opportunities.

She also noted that the district, part of the Toba Caldera, is home to several Batak ethnic groups, including the Batak Toba, Simalungun, and Karo.

Puspa expressed confidence that the region’s natural beauty and rich Batak culture could attract tourists and urged local governments to work with communities to promote the district as a complementary destination to the Lake Toba super-priority site.

In the same statement, district head Oloan Paniaran Nababan thanked the ministry for supporting tourism development in the region.

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