F1H2O event will promote Indonesian tourism: Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The F1 Powerboat (F1H2O) Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) World Championship, which will take place in Lake Toba, North Sumatra province, can further help promote Indonesian tourism to the international community.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, delivered the remarks at a press conference here on Thursday following the signing of a sponsorship agreement for the implementation of the championship.

He expressed the hope that the championship, which will be held from February 2526, 2023, will have a positive multiplier effect.

"The F1H2O event is expected to attract nearly 25 thousand spectators," he said.

The sponsorship for the F1H2O championship is important to improve the implementation of the event in Indonesia, thus it must be appreciated, he added.

"The (implementation of the) F1H2O event also proves to the international community that Indonesia is capable of organizing and hosting world-class events," he remarked.

Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Deputy Minister II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, the President Director of InJourney, a state holding firm on aviation and tourism, Dony Oskaria, and several sponsor representatives for the F1H2O event also attended the inking of the sponsorship agreement.

Earlier, Amali said that Lake Toba has been chosen to host the F1H2O UIM World Championship for five years from 2023 until 2027.

In the 2023 season, Lake Toba will host the opening series for the powerboat racing championships.

Earlier, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno had reviewed the readiness of infrastructure at Mulia Raja Napitupulu Port, Lake Toba, Belige sub-district, Toba district, North Sumatra province, for the implementation of the racing event.

The port will function as a media center, trauma center, office area for the F1H2O committee, and hospitality suite for VVIP guests attending the event.

Uno said he expected that the economic impact of the sporting event will not only be felt by the people of Balige sub-district, but also the entire tourism and creative economy ecosystem in other regions across North Sumatra province.

Meanwhile, the head of Toba district, Poltak Sitorus, said that the implementation of F1H2O will encourage economic growth and increase development in the surrounding areas of Lake Toba.