T

he North Sumatra administration is planning to invite dozens of ambassadors from African and ASEAN countries to Lake Toba next month to promote tourism in the province.

The administration will hold the Lake Toba Forum in cooperation with the Forum of Small Medium Economic Africa ASEAN (FORSEAA).

“We hope the forum will promote Lake Toba as a one of the world’s featured destinations,” North Sumatra Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi said.

He was speaking after holding a preparation meeting with Seychelles Ambassador to Indonesia Nico Barito earlier this week.

FORSEAA is an inter-governmental organization based in Jakarta that was jointly established by the Indonesian and Seychelles governments aimed at creating new economic opportunities through SMEs.

Erry said the forum would discuss the development of SMEs engaging in small industries, tourism and culture, agriculture and food processing, and innovation in science and technology in African and ASEAN countries.

He also said the forum would be held annually to continue promoting Lake Toba internationally.

He said the province once hosted the Lake Toba Summit that was attended by WORLD GOVERNORS several years ago. With the experience, Erry expressed his confidence that the Lake Toba Forum would be able to promote the destination.

“This is an opportunity that we especially, the heads of the administrations of the regions located around Lake Toba, have to use well,” he said.

Separately, Nico Barito expressed his willingness to help organize the forum and promote Lake Toba as a featured destination abroad.

“Hopefully, through this forum Lake Toba will sell itself, as the attraction is there for everyone to see,” said Nico, who also helped to initiate the Lake Toba Summit a few years ago.

He said increasing people’s participation was the most important step to take in developing Lake Toba tourism.

He added that developing Lake Toba tourism was not just a matter of investment, but also about preserving local traditions. For this, he said, the people in the surrounding areas also had to be prepared.

The government recently opened a direct international flight from Singapore to Silangit airport in North Tapanuli regency.

With a 2,650-meter runway, the international airport can accommodate various types of aircraft, including the Bombardier CRJ 1000.

The government has also built a toll road connecting Medan, the provincial capital, to areas around Lake Toba. The 42-kilometer toll road from Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi shortens the overland trip from Medan to Lake Toba from a six- to three-hour journey.