Aside from being the most important event in powerboat racing, the Championship will provide ample opportunity to promote the natural beauty of Lake Toba and its surrounding areas to international spectators flying in from all over the world.

“This event is as important as the MotoGP in Mandalika, Lombok last year. Thus, we believe that the F1 PowerBoat Championship will be the perfect event to showcase the attractiveness of Lake Toba to international audiences.” said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.

“The influx of travellers coming in from all over the world would surely boost economic recovery in the area, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES),” he added.

In between adrenaline-pumping powerboat races, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the natural allure of Lake Toba, one of Indonesia’s five Super Priority Tourism Destinations. The lake, with an area of more than 1,145 square kilometers and a depth of 508 meters, was formed from by a violent prehistoric volcanic eruption 74 thousand years ago.

Other destinations around Lake Toba are not short of charm either. Situated on the south of the lake, the town of Balige offers a magnificent view of Lake Toba and surrounding mountains. The town was also a witness to the native Batak people’s first revolt against the Dutch government.

Upon visiting Balige, travelers are treated to a scenery of Lake Toba from a variety of different viewpoints at Tarabunga Hill, Pahoda, Lumban BulBul Beach or Samosir Beach.

The Lumban BulBul Beach sets itself apart from other beaches for being a freshwater beach lined with white, sparkling sands. Visitors can take part in exciting water-based activities such as banana boating, riding on the traditional solu boat or renting a motorboat to do some sightseeing around the lake.

Not too far away from Balige is the Meat (pronounced may-ut) Village in Tobasa Regency. Sitting at an altitude of 919 meters above sea level, the village is often said to be the lowest geographical point in the Toba Samosir region.  After a walk among verdant paddy rice fields, visitors can visit local dance studios and watch performances of the traditional Sipitu Cawan dance.

The nearby Desa Wisata (Tourism Village) is the perfect place to learn about local wisdom. Floating in the middle of the lake is Samosir Island, where two tourism villages, Tomok and Simanindo stand. Home to the Batak ethnic group, residents of both villages still celebrate their ancestors’ rituals and traditions. Here, you can experience a Sigale-gale Puppet ritual that calls upon the spirits of deceased ancestors.

Traveling to North Sumatera is not the same without visiting local workshops and admiring the beauty of Lake Toba’s traditional textile, kain ulos. This signature textile is not just an important cultural heritage to the Batak Toba people, but it’s also a sacred artifact that symbolizes blessings, love, compassion and unity.

Lake Toba is also a haven for culinary enthusiasts. Finding halal food is no obstacle because the region is home to a goldfish dish called Dekke Na Niarsik (Arsik goldfish). Goldfish sourced from the area is cooked until dry and seasoned with various spices, including the Andaliman pepper,

A species endemic to Lake Toba and a staple in Batak Toba cuisine, Andaliman has recently gained attention due to its popularity among culinary enthusiasts from outside the area. People in the area, especially MSMEs, have come up with creations to promote Andaliman with mouth-watering dishes such as andaliman pizza, sambal, bandrek (herb drink) and more.

A boon for the recovering economy

Since its first run in 1981, the F1 PowerBoat Championship is considered to be one of the most challenging sports in the world. Racers require a certain amount of finesse to maintain the balance of their powerboat against the water current. The acceleration of powerboats can exceed that of race cars, reaching 160 km/hour within four seconds. While gliding at incredible speeds, drivers must race against each other without the use of breaks or clutches.

In anticipation of international spectators flocking in to see competitors testing their might at the revered volcanic lake, the government has pushed for infrastructure development and other supporting facilities. Sandiaga himself has also assured that the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister has also collaborated with other ministries and agencies to ready the human resources around the area.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has assisted locals in setting up homestay and tourism village tour packages, as well as developing MSME products. The ministry also provides hospitality training, tourism awareness sessions and more.

“Hospitality is key to avoid tourists feeling disappointed after their visit to Lake Toba. We will ensure that the impact of this event can be falt by MSMEs by conducting training sessions and strengthening the supply chain of local products so they can be used by hotels and inns,” Sandiaga elaborated.

The Championship will also have a number of side events including culinary festivals (including a grilled fish festival), watch parties and MSME exhibitions. There will also be entertainment from celebrities and various cultural art attractions from various regions of North Sumatera.

“We expect a 3.7 percent increase within two years post-event. The F1 PowerBoat Championship is predicted to generate 180 million digital impressions and an economic impact of Rp 212 billion (US$ 13.98 million) for the economy of North Sumatera,” said Sandiaga.

The minister further reminded visitors coming to the Lake Toba area to continue adhering to health protocols such as wearing masks, keeping their distance, washing hands regularly, and taking the required booster vaccinations before travelling into the area.

For more information, visit the website indonesia.travel or follow the social media accounts @wonderfulindonesia on Instagram, @wonderfulid on TikTok, @wonderfulindonesia on Facebook, @wonderfulid on Twitter or the Wonderful Indonesia Youtube Account and receive updates about tourism, creative economy and other attractive events in Indonesia.

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