Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the calendar was important to attract travelers. “Schedule and location certainty is important [for travelers]. The days and months must not be altered because it is a reference for the travelers,” Arief stated, as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.

(Read also: Hundreds flock to Lake Madirda to observe Melasti)

Arief also stressed the shift of traveler behavior, particularly among young travelers. “Do not expect them to come [to the destination] if they couldn’t find a fixed schedule,” he said. The minister also mentioned that travelers may have booked their travel in advance. “Imagine how troubled they would be if the schedule changed.”

The calendar of events was released to help promote Lake Toba, one of Indonesia’s 10 priority destinations of 2017. Among the activities included in the calendar of events are festivals, carnivals, music shows and sports events.

North Sumatra Deputy Governor Nurhazijah Marpaung said all tourism stakeholders in the province were ready to make Lake Toba an international destination. She also explained that tourist activities in Lake Toba were expected to account for Rp 16 trillion (US$ 75 million) in regional gross domestic product, and create 300,000 new jobs in North Sumatra.

Below is the list of events scheduled on the calendar. (mas/asw)

(Read also: Nyepi, a unique new year celebration)

1. Coffee Festival Toba (Toba Coffee Festival) from May 20-21
2. Soposurung Art Festival from Jun. 16-17
3. Pesta Bunga dan Buah (Fruits and Flower Festival) in Karo regency from Jul. 6-9
4. Festival Gondang Sabangunan (Gondang Sabangunan Festival) in Humbanghas regency on July 24
5. Toba Nauli Photo Contest & Exhibition  from Jul. 27-30
6. International Toba Kayak Marathon in Tobasa regency from Jul. 28-30
7. Paralayang (Paragliding) in North Tapanuli regency from Aug. 15-17
8. 2017 Toba Granfondo from Aug. 18-19
9. Toba Rock on Aug. 25
10. Karnaval Pesona Danau Toba (Pesona Lake Toba Carnaval) on Aug. 26
11. Pesta Oang-oang (Oang-Oang Festival) in Pakpak Bharat regency from Sep. 6-7
12. Festival Danau Toba (Lake Toba Festival) at Humbahas regency from Sep. 6-9
13. Pesta Budaya Njuah-Njuah (Njuah-Njuah Cultural Festival) at Dairi regency from Sep. 26-30
14. Pesta Rondang Bittang (Rondang Bittang Festival) at Simalungun regency from Sep. 28-30
15. ExCOTISM T.O.B.A. BLUE from Oct. 7-9
16. Toba Trail Run 2017 on Oct. 21
17. Samosir Jazz Seasons at Samosir regency on Oct. 28

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