Located in North Sumatra, Lake Toba is expected to attract millions of tourists in 2023. It is one of Indonesia’s top tourist destinations because it hosts the prestigious F1 World Powerboat Championship (F1 H2O) race.
“The goal is 1.3 million domestic and international trips to Lake Toba,” said Usman Kansong, The head of the Information and Public Communications (IKP) Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information (Kemkominfo).
According to Usman, 2023 will indeed be an important year in Indonesia’s efforts to reverse economic conditions after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Specifically the tourism sector is through the flagship program ‘Proud of Traveling in Indonesia’. One of the momenta is this F1 Powerboat event,” he said.
Apart from its natural beauty, Lake Toba in general supports life communities in several surrounding districts such as Simalungun, Dairi, Karo, North Tapanuli, Toba Samosir, Samosir, Pakpak Bharat, and Humbang Hasundutan.
Therefore, the government also believes in developing the Lake Toba area, besides the will making Indonesia’s name known to the world for its natural beauty, also encouraging the wheels of the local community’s economy, especially through the tourism sector.
They are expected to be able to use every national and international event, to promote the various advantages of its products. “We will push this. We help them promote their products, through social media, for example, besides of course the promotion of Lake Toba itself as a super destination priority,” he said.
As a readiness to take advantage of international events such as F1 H2O, the government too said Usman, has encouraged around 30 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through various programs launched in entering the technology era 4.0, incl the perpetrators around Lake Toba.
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The F1 H2O World Championship
The F1 H2O World Championship in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, is planned to be held on 24-26 February 2023. Through this event, Indonesian tourism including MSMEs in it believed to be ready to return to the world level after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Formula 1 Motorboat World Championship or F1 H2O is targeted to bring in a turnover of IDR 212 billion, of which IDR 154 billion will come from North Sumatra.
Meanwhile, the Deputy for Tourism and Creative Economy of the Coordinating Ministry for Sector maritime affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), Odo RM Manuhutu, explained that the Indonesian F1 H2O race will be attended by around 20 teams.
Currently, the readiness of the race location has reached 40 percent. Expected on February 10th 2023 is fully usable. “There will be 12 containers that will transport the powerboats on January 16th and on February another six containers,” explained Odo.
The government is focusing on tidying up the Lake Toba area and the hotels around its location, including the rejuvenation of several points. “In addition, we also conduct training for MSMEs and tourism actors, especially related to hospitality,” he said.
Lake Toba Will Be As Lively As Mandalika
Odo is also optimistic that the Lake Toba F1 H2O event will be as successful as a racing event MotoGP motorbike at Mandalika 2022. This is due to the interest of the local community and other areas which is quite high. The impact that will be felt, even three to the next four years.
“There’s been a lot of enthusiasm, I even got information from the tourism aviation SOE, The interest is very big and the public wants to quickly open ticket sales,” he concluded.
Lake Toba became the 40th host after 39 times the international event was held in various countries. It is estimated that there will be around 20 to 25 thousand people who will visit Lake Toba when the F1 Powerboat race is held.
Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali said foreign media, especially from Italy and Arab countries started spreading the name “Toba Lake, Danau Toba” as the place the competition will be held.
Lake Toba suddenly became a topic of discussion and became news in many countries. The fans of Formula 1 Power Boat racing are certainly starting to get ready to find information about Toba.
Thus, Amali continued, this will encourage Indonesia and especially good government central and regional, especially the people around Toba to prepare themselves to fulfill the expectations of tourists who are also Formula 1 Power Boat spectators.
“Tourists will not only watch the game but there will be more enjoy the tourist environment,” he said.
According to Amali, preparations will continue to be accelerated so that foreign and local audiences will feel at home while visiting or even planning to return to Lake Toba.
“The key to it all is the readiness of the Toba people to be friendly, open, and provide the best service for its guests,” concluded Amali.
