Gov’t to Develop New Tourist Destinations Near Lake Toba

Photo caption: President Jokowi on Monday (22/8) visits a location in Parulohan Village, Humbang Hasundutan Regency to be designated as a new tourist destination near Lake Toba. (Photo by: Kris/ Bureau of Press and Media)

In the last day of his working visit to North Sumatera, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo (Jokowi) on Monday (22/8) visited a location in Parulohan Village, in Humbang Hasundutan Regency that will be designated as a new tourist destination near Lake Toba.

Speaking to reporters during the visit, President Jokowi said that his visit was meant to inspect locations to be designated as new tourist destinations as part of the development of Lake Toba.

“This location is one of the places that we discussed during the Limited Cabinet Meeting we had in Parapat on Friday. We’ll make a decision on this matter in Jakarta,” the President said.

According to the President, the location, which covers an area of 400 hectares, can be further developed.“We can build a flower garden in this area, certainly with facilities such as a resort or a hotel for meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibitions; thus it can bring economic impacts for the locals,” the President said.

Once the Government has reached a decision on the development of this location, forests near the place will also be revamped, the President said.

“What we are going to offer is the panorama of the lake, the waterfall and the Sisingamangaraja (national hero from North Sumatera) historical site. In my opinion, this place offers a complete package,” the President said.

“The concept of this place will be designed by experts,” he added.

Commenting on other places as alternatives, President Jokowi also mentioned a location in Simalungun but the Government has yet to makea decision but hinted that the two locations might be developed.

Asked about when the development of the places is expected to be completed, the President said, “We have to be fast. We want to see how much fund needed to develop the locations, which parts will be taken from the State Budget and which ones are from investors. We have to separate them all,” the President concluded.

Also joining the President during the visit were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of the Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, and North Sumatera Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi. (UN/GUN/DAN/DNS/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)