TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized the need to develop a branding strategy to market Lake Toba as a tourism destination, one of ten priority tourist destinations to be optimally developed this year.
"I have stressed that a branding strategy for tourism related to Lake Toba be prepared," President Jokowi said as he chaired a limited cabinet meeting on Development Plan for Lake Toba Tourism Destination and the Tourism Authority Agency for Lake Toba. The meeting was held at the presidential office on Tuesday.
All tourism services and facilities in the lake area must be upgraded to meet international standards, he stated.
The head of the state also called for improving the tourism attractions that visitors throng at the lake area.
"Art and cultural attractions should be on display, in a well choreographed manner, and should be attractively designed," he remarked.
He also ordered to improve connectivity with Lake Toba and its surrounding areas, making these more accessible.
For the same reason, the seaport and airport infrastructure in North Sumatra must also be further developed.
"I understand that two or three weeks ago, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, the Coordinating Minister for Human and Cultural Development and the Tourism Minister had visited Lake Toba. We hope that there will be follow up on the ground," he added.
Nine other priority tourist destinations are Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuhan Bajo, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru, Kepulauan Seribu, Wakatobi, Tanjung Lesung, Morotai, and Tanjung Kelayang.
ANTARA
