Lake Toba F1 Powerboat Mainly Beneficial to Regions Rather Than Central Govt, Ministry Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs stated that the F1 Powerboat, or F1H2O racing event in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia mainly benefits the regions instead of the central government.

The ministry's Deputy for Tourism and Creative Economy, Odo Manuhutu, stated that the international motorboat racing event stimulates economic activities in the region which in turn will benefit residents.

"The event will attract investors, who in recent years, are increasingly interested in the Lake Toba area, and it will positively impact regional development," Manuhutu stated at the press conference here on Saturday.

To ensure tourists are comfortable during their visit, the ministry's deputy urged stakeholders to ensure continuous maintenance of tourism areas in the Lake Toba region and to maintain its cleanliness.

He also highlighted the need to intensify collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure improvements to tourism areas could be carried out.

Meanwhile, Manuhutu explained that the ministry's survey found that on average, tourists spent Rp500,000 (US$31.89) during the last F1 Powerboat event in 2023, also in Lake Toba.

The survey also found that at the same agenda, upscale tourists splurged up to Rp3 million (US$191.36) during their stay, he added.

He highlighted that an increasing number of hotels have been developed on the shore of Lake Toba while adding that after one hotel was completed in Toba District, two more hotels are planned for the region.

Manuhutu also affirmed that the government is taking steps to ensure that development will be conducted sustainably and not be harmful to nature.

On March 2 to 3, 2024, Indonesia hosted the F1 Powerboat motorboat racing event at Lake Toba, North Sumatra. It was Indonesia's second occasion to serve as the event's host.

Some 18 racers belonging to nine teams from 10 countries are participating in the motorboat racing. State-owned company PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia, or InJourney, is responsible for organizing the event.

ANTARA

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