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Lake Toba gets new ferries, ports to boost tourism
The area is one of the government's five “super priority” tourism development destinations, as well as the site of a tragic boat accident in 2018.
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our new ferries and seven new ferry ports have officially begun operating in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, as the government works to boost tourism in one of the five so-called “New Balis”.
On Wednesday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the ports of Ajibata and Balige in Toba, Tigaras in Simalungun, Simanindo in Samosir, Marbun Toruan/Baktiraja in Humbang Hasundutan, Muara in North Tapanuli and Tongging in Karo.
He also launched four ferries (KMP): the KMP Pora-Pora, KMP Kaldera Toba, KMP Asa-asa and KMP Jurung-Jurung.
"The operation of these ports and ships will support access to various places on Lake Toba so it will be easier, faster and smoother," he said at an inauguration ceremony.
The area surrounding the 1,145 square kilometer lake is one of the government’s five “super priority” tourism development destinations. The others are Borobudur in Central Java, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara and Likupang in North Sulawesi.
The government expects the five destinations, along with Bali itself, to attract domestic tourists this year to help the regions’ pandemic-beaten economies.
Lake Toba was also the site of a tragic boat accident in June 2018 that killed 164 people after an overloaded vessel capsized, reportedly in bad weather. The incident raised alarm about boat safety in Indonesia and dealt a blow to tourism in the area the following year.
The Transportation Ministry is slated to build a total of 13 ferry ports around Lake Toba. The remaining six, which are still under construction, are the ports of Silalahi in Dairi; Ambarita, Onan Runggu and Sipinggan in Samosir; and Sigapiton and Porsea in Toba.
Meanwhile, the Public Works and Housing Ministry is building roads in the area.
"Everything should be integrated, but this is not possible in the near future because everything is on a priority scale," said Jokowi.
Prior to visiting the port, Jokowi inaugurated the 9.8 km Balige Highway in Toba.
Public Works and Housing Ministry director general of highways Hedy Rahadian said the highway had cost Rp 176 billion (US$12.24 million) and had taken five years to construct.
"[The President] hopes to support Lake Toba tourism and [that the road] can provide benefits for the community, especially increasing the smoothness of transportation and accessibility for areas around the town of Balige," said Hedy.
Balige resident Rohana Simanjuntak said the highway would shorten travel times for residents.
“The community has been greatly helped by this infrastructure development. There are many benefits. Tourists will also be happy to come here because the roads are good," said Rohana.
Rohana expressed hoped that the new infrastructure would be well maintained in the coming years.
