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COORDINATING Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has said that he expects the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship (F1H2O) to promote Lake Toba as a go-to destination among domestic and foreign tourists.
The championship, which hosted on February 25 and 26, 2023, will attract global attention, with as many as 180 million viewers expected to follow it via various media platforms and broadcasts.
“Thus, the government is consistently pushing for development, whether it’s on the accessibility, amenity, and attraction, be it in Toba or other super-priority tourism destinations,” Pandjaitan said at a press conference in Balige, North Sumatra, according to a written statement received here on Friday.
He commended the governor, district head, PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero) or InJourney, and all those who have taken part in the effort to organize the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship at Lake Toba this year.
“I expect that the event, from today until Sunday, when Mr. President is scheduled to come, will push for something better in the future,” he remarked.
The minister said that he had asked the founder of H2O Racing, Nicolo di San Germano, to host the championship at Lake Toba for five consecutive years.
“But Germano said earlier: ‘Why only five years? Fifty years is also fine,’” he recalled.
He also disclosed that Germano was satisfied with the collaboration forged for hosting the event. It shows that the Indonesian people have grown more open-minded to new experiences.
Moreover, InJourney, which is hosting the event, said that all preparations, in terms of the infrastructure, facilities, venue, and logistics, have been completed, and the facilities can be readily used for free practice all the way until the day of the race.
“With the preparation and series of events we present, hopefully, we can make a good impression on the racers, crews, audience, and also the tourists who come,” director of the marketing and tourism program at InJourney,” Maya Watono said.
Watono also expressed her appreciation for Lake Toba residents who have taken part in hosting the event, and said she expects the event will be lively and provide them benefits. [antaranews]
