Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that the 2023 F1 Powerboat Lake Toba event had an economic impact of Rp1.68 trillion (US$106 million) and successfully brought 100 thousand tourists.

"International events help to introduce new tourist destinations to tourists," he stated at the Lake Toba F1 Powerboat Press Conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The minister admitted to have never envisaged that the F1 Powerboat event can be held at Lake Toba. According to Pandjaitan, the event is important for local residents since it is an ongoing event.

"We should be grateful because Indonesia has been named as the best organizer for the powerboat and aquabike events," Pandjaitan remarked.

Indonesia has been named as the best organizer on the official F1H2O website for conducting the F1 Powerboat in 2023 and UIM ABP Aquabike World Championship.

"Congratulations to InJourney that worked really hard. I never imagined we could organize such an event in Lake Toba," he stated.

On the occasion, the minister also lauded other parties involved in the Lake Toba F1 Powerboat event, such as state-owned oil company Pertamina and state-owned electricity company PLN.

"This was possible because of the cooperation under the leadership of President Joko Widodo," he remarked.

Hence, he called on all stakeholders to work hand in hand for the success of the 2024 F1 Powerboat event at Lake Toba on March 2-3, 2024.

"I hope all parties can work hand in hand to succeed this event," he stated.

On the same occasion, Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, stated that the F1 Powerboat would increase the world's trust in Indonesia in holding a world-class championship.

"Hopefully, this event would attract tourists to visit Indonesia. Even after holding an election on February 14, we can still manage to conduct a world-class championship event," he added.

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Translator: Putu Indah S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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