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Tourism Minister oversees homestay development in Bakara Valley, North Sumatra
Other than the Sisingamangaraja Castle, Bakara Valley is also known for its Masiripa traditional farming culture and Batak art studio.
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In bloom: A field of flowers is shown in this photo of Simpang Empat regency, located around 8 kilometers from Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra. JP/Apriadi Gunawan (JP/Apriadi Gunawan)
W
hile traveling to North Sumatra to attend the inauguration ceremony of Silangit International Airport, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya made time to visit the homestay area in Bakara Valley, Humbang Hasundutan Regency.
The people of Bakara Valley welcomed Arief by giving him an ulos clothing and escorted him to Sisingamangaraja Castle.
The Minister said that Lake Toba is a priority destination that is developed by the government, also known as the New Bali.
With Silangit International Airport accepting international flights from Singapore, tourists from Singapore is beginning to show interest in Lake Toba and this is why new attractions are needed to support Lake Toba and one of them is Bakara Valley.
“The Sisingamangaraja Castle is a magnet in Bakara, the access is currently being worked on whilst for accommodation, Tourism Ministry is ready to give support,” Arief said.
Other than the Sisingamangaraja Castle, Bakara Valley is also known for its Masiripa traditional farming culture and Batak art studio.
The valley is surrounded by hills, one unique thing about this place is the presence of volcanic rocks in the middle of paddy fields. Bakara Valley is also directly adjacent to Lake Toba and has a beach and several waterfalls.
In this place there are 153 houses that can be turned into homestays, the Ministry is going to provide beds, blankets, beddings and guestbooks.
The locals will act as the owner of the homestays, but the management will be handled by professional staff with help from Tourism Ministry.
Next year, the development will be handled by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing. (asw)
