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INDONESIA’S Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has said the F1 Powerboat (F1H2O) Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) World Championship could spur Lake Toba in North Sumatra as a leading world-class tourism destination.
“We are sure that this event will promote Lake Toba as a prominent destination that is on par with other world-class destinations and become an alternative (world-class destination in Indonesia) besides Bali. It will become a must-visit destination in Indonesia,” he said.
Sandiaga Uno remarked that Lake Toba is chosen as the venue for the race owing to its scenic beauty and diverse culture in addition to the fact that it has been designated as one of the five Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSPs) in Indonesia.
Despite being selected as a DPSP, Lake Toba has not had any international event agenda, unlike the Mandalika area in West Nusa Tenggara, which has hosted the MotoGP, or Borobudur Temple in Central Java, which has hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum, he pointed out.
“We see that this kind of (international) event is super effective in promoting the tourism destinations,” the minister remarked in a virtual talk show on preparations for the F1H2O event titled “Fast Race on Lake Toba.”
Hence, his side continues to improve interconnectivity between Lake Toba and several ports and the Silangit International Airport in North Tapanuli District, North Sumatra, as well as to expedite construction of the Kualanamu-Pematangsiantar-Toba highway.
Sandiaga stated that the Mulia Raja Napitupulu Port and the Sisingamangaraja field, Toba District, were the main locations for implementation of the F1H2O, scheduled on February 25-26, 2023.
The development of supporting infrastructure, such as the dry paddock and wet paddock for participating powerboats, has reached the final stage, he noted.
He also remarked that spectator seats had also been installed. The event is targeted to draw 25 thousand spectators.
Sandiaga concluded that his ministry has coordinated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports as the head of the implementing committee of the racing event to ready facilities, infrastructure, and human resources for the F1H2O. [antaranews/photo special]
