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Govt faces uphill battle to make Lake Toba world-class destination
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On Samosir, a 630-square-kilometer island located in the middle of Lake Toba, several facilities are under development and traditional houses in villages are being revitalized. (ANN/The Star/Allison Lai)
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s the largest volcanic lake in the world, Lake Toba in North Sumatra has what it takes to be developed into a world-class tourist destination, especially under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo 10 new Balis initiative, which aims to boost the economy amid stagnating consumer spending and a slowing investment outlook.
However, a lack of basic tourist infrastructure has become a major obstacle in fulfilling the President’s wishes, with water pollution issues and several recent boat accidents putting a dent in the lake’s reputation. Passenger boat Sinar Bangun sank in the lake last year, causing hundreds to go missing. Only six days later, KM Ramos Risma Marisi got into an accident that killed one of its crew members.
For visitors of the giant lake, accessibility is also a major issue. It takes a seven-hour, 250-kilometer drive to reach the 1,130-square-km lake from the province’s main airport, Kualanamu International Airport in Medan.
As such, the government opened Silangit International Airport in North Tapanuli in November 2017 to bring tourists closer to Lake Toba. It also opened a smaller airport, Sibisa, in Toba Samosir regency.
Despite all this, the government believes there is more work to be done. The Public Works and Housing Ministry set aside Rp 2.4 trillion (US$168.4 million) in 2020 funds, almost triple this year’s budget, to build several infrastructure projects at the lake and its surrounding areas.
The projects include the Samosir Ring Road, Tano Ponggol Bridge connecting Samosir to mainland Sumatra, toll road development, water reservoir development, sanitation projects and improvements to tourist sites.
The ministry is also working to finish the 143.5-km Kuala Tanjung-Tebing Tinggi-Parapat toll road to improve transportation between Medan and Lake Toba.
