"The progress is good, and we aim to build an extended airport, including the Silangit Airport, which will be upgraded to an international airport," Yahya stated here on Monday after attending a coordination meeting to discuss the management of Lake Toba.
The government will extend the runway of Silangit Airport from 2,400 x 30 meters to 2,650 x 45 meters, so that it can operate flights of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The Silangit Airport is aimed at increasing the number of tourist arrivals at the Lake Toba tourism destination.
Yahya express belief that the government would achieve its target of attracting 20 million foreign tourist arrivals once the airport is upgraded.
He added that Lake Toba is located in a strategic region near Singapore. Thus, it can also increase the number of flights to Silangit Airport.
The construction of an access road to Lake Toba is also progressing as per schedule, the minister said.
Yahya pointed out that several investors are willing to develop the tourism destination, including from China and Singapore.
However, potential investors have urged to repair the access road to Toba Lake, he added.
Lake Toba in North Sumatra is one of the 10 national strategic tourism areas along with Tanjung Kelayang in Bangka Belitung, Morotai in North Maluku, Tanjung Lesung in Banten, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Thousand Islands in DKI Jakarta, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and Bromo Tengger in East Java.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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