I have told the president that we need to evenly develop areas around the Lake Toba area until 2024. Thus, the regions can be connected with one another and benefit the community.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is optimistic that the Lake Toba Super-Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) in North Sumatra Province would implement a thematic international sporting event.

"Lake Toba has the potential as a venue for thematic sporting international events, such as the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship (F1H2O) and Tour de Lake Toba,” he noted in a statement posted on his social media account on Thursday.

Pandjaitan spoke of seeking President Joko Widodo’s permission for the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to organize the international event.

He and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno accompanied the president on a working visit to North Sumatra Province on February 2-3, 2022.

Currently, nine tourism facilities and infrastructure around the lake have been completed.

They comprise Ajibata Port, Ambarita Port, Tigaras Port, Simanindo Port, Parapat Water and Waste Management Installation, Parapat Beach, Atsari Public Open Space, Hutaraja Village, as well as Huta Siallagan Village.

Related news: Tourism Ministry holds international conference at Lake Toba

Furthermore, the coordinating minister emphasized that inter-regional connectivity around Lake Toba must be established.

"I have told the president that we need to evenly develop areas around the Lake Toba area until 2024. Thus, the regions can be connected with one another and benefit the community," he affirmed.

Belonging to the Batak tribe that has resided around the lake for generations, he was pleased with the development of his hometown that has become more scenic and advanced.

In addition, Pandjaitan has urged all stakeholders to conduct sustainable and environment-friendly development of the tourism destination.

Hence, he is optimistic that mutual cooperation -- which is the philosophy of life of the Batak people -- would be realized through concrete collaboration among the stakeholders and the community for preserving the lake's environment.

“Thus, God Almighty’s blessings of the natural wealth can also be enjoyed by our future children and grandchildren," he added.

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Translator: Ade Junida, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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