6th October 2022 – The Toba Regency Government (Pemkab) continue to make effort in making Danau Toba a Super Priority Destination (DSP) in accordance with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)’s direction.
The Acting (Plt) Head of the Toba Regency Tourism and Culture Office (Kadispar) Rusti Hutapea said that her team have specifically outlined the development of Danau Toba in the fifth mission of the Regent of Toba Poltak Sitorus, namely “Pariwisata Berkat dan Meriah (Merry and Blessed Tourism)”.
Hutapea further explained that various efforts to improve the human resources of tourism sectors have been made too. Some include training for baristas, tour guides and tourism villages, as well as implementing internships for youths from Toba Regency to the Bali Tourism Polytechnic.
As for the readiness of local human resources to welcome Danau Toba as a Super Priority Destination, the Government gives extra attention to the quality of human resources. This is done by developing the characteristics of Batak culture which is basically a hospitable tribe. Using the old proverb from Batak language, “paramak naso habalunon, partataring na sora mintop” which means “a family/host who never rolls its carpet in receiving guests. “
Additionally, improvement in innovation and hygienic culinary services at tourism sites, donating land for the construction of a Tourism Vocational School in Tambunan, and also the formation of the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis).
Toba Regency Government also gives training to homestay managers on environmental hygiene, sanitation, waste management in tourist attractions, digitalization training for promotion, as well as business governance and booking training.
Currently, there are 36 tourist villages that have been decided by the Toba Regency Government with around 14 of them still in the evaluation and verification stage.
For accommodation, there are 901 hotel rooms, 10 villas, and 162 homestays spread around Toba Regency. The Government specifically encourages the existence of homestays, both in terms of quantity and quality.
Furthermore, the Government has also provided various training, facilities or equipment, and promotional tools to support micro, small and medium enterprises (UKKM) in dealing with large investors.
