DEVELOPING LAKE TOBA INTO ECO-TOURISM, MICE DESTINATION by Fardah

  Jakarta, Aug 24, 2016 (Antara) - Lake Toba area is now being developed to transform the region, often envisioned as "Monaco of Asia," into a sustainable eco-tourism and MICE (meeting, incentive, conference, and exhibition) destination of international standard.

         The government has promised funds to transform Lake Toba into a world class tourism object.

        President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), flanked by First Lady Iriana and several cabinet ministers, last weekend spent three days in North Sumatra to discuss projects necessary to make Lake Toba into one of the 10 priority tourist destinations, as designated by the Central Government.

        Besides, the Head of State also kicked off an Independence Day Carnival dubbed Lake Toba Charm in Balige town, Toba Samosir District, North Sumatra Province, on Aug. 20 and 21, to promote the tourist destination nationally and internationally.

         At present, the government is upgrading existing infrastructure and facilities as well as developing new ones for better connectivity, making the region more accessible.

         Among the infrastructure being upgraded is Silangit Airport, which is located in Siborong-borong, North Tapanuli District, and Sibisa Airport in Toba Samosir District.

         The North Sumatra administrations has provided a total of 600 ha plot of land in the Lake Toba authority zone for tourism purposes.   
    The government will among other things create a world-class flower garden and a botanical garden to support the Lake Toba tourism industry.

          The local culture and traditions will be strengthened and promoted as tourist attractions.

        "Tourism has employed the largest number of manpower, but indeed it needs a change of the community's culture," President Jokowi said before prominent community figures living surrounding Lake Toba areas, on Aug. 20.

          A change is needed because basically the community should be able to serve tourists coming to their region.

          "I hope prominent community, religious, and custom figures could give guidance to the community," the Head of State said.

        Lake Toba which has been known internationally, has huge tourism potential.

        "However, over the past several years, its image and branding as a tourist area has dropped. Therefore, we work on Lake Toba first, among 10 destinations designated by a presidential decree," he said.

        To revive the past glory of Lake Toba, three investors had met President Jokowi to discuss constructions of hotels, golf fields, and convention centers in Toba area.

         "They are committed to building five-star hotels, international convention centers, and other things," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.   
   The president even hinted a plan to open a tourism academy in North Sumatra.

        "I will first form a team to see that lecturers are available   after that I will give the answer as soon as possible," he said.

         The government will also clean up the environment of Lake Toba and evaluate the presence of many floating fish cages on the lake.

         Jokowi also urged villagers living around Lake Toba area to plant trees for the preservation of the environment.

         He and Iriana planted several fruit-bearing trees in Tomok village, Simanindo Sub-district, Samosir District, on Aug. 21.

         Jokowi asked local community to make Lake Toba area green again.

         "I just planted trees. The target is 300 thousand trees per district, or one million per year for all districts. We don't want the water of Lake Toba to decrease due to environmental degradation," he said.

         The Head of State urged the public to take care of the trees so they would grow well. The environmental affairs and forestry ministry will provide water pumps to water the trees, he said.

         "Until December 2016, one million trees will be planted. I want all of them to grow well. Don't let only 100 grow out of the one million trees that have been planted," Jokowi said before  hundreds of students and scout members participating in the three planting program.

         In Tomok village, tress including fruit bearing ones, will be planted in a plot of land measuring 150 hectares which will be developed into a botanical garden.

         "I hope that one day this botanical garden will become a good research center. Once again, please take care of the trees so they will grow," he remarked.

        In the meantime, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the Lake Toba Charm carnival was part of President Jokowi's commitment to developing it into a world-class tourist destination.

         He hoped to attract one million tourists to  Lake Toba region by 2019.

         Last June, President Jokowi had signed Presidential Regulation No.  49 of 2016 on establishment of the Board of Lake Toba Tourism Area Management Authority to help expedite  Lake Toba development projects.

        "The Lake Toba Authority will function for 25 years, until December 31, 2041, and the period could be extended," the regulation effective since June 13, 2016, said. ***1***
(f001/INE)   

(T.F001/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 24-08-2016 18:32:08