REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA  --  President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana enjoyed the beautiful panorama of Lake Toba from a hill resort in Humbang Hasundutan (Humbahas) District, North Sumatra, on Monday.

"We are just looking for an alternative location to use for the development of the Lake Toba area. This is one of them that we had discussed during a meeting in Parapat last Friday," Jokowi remarked.

The head of state and his entourage enjoyed the scenery of Lake Toba from Parulohan Village, Lintong Nihua Sub-district, Humbahas.

Members of his entourage included Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Environmental Affairs and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of the Presidential Staff Office Teten Masduki, and Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

North Sumatra Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi and Humbahas District Head Dosmar Banjarnahor also accompanied the president.

Jokowi said the district head had reported that a 400-hectare plot of land was available for projects to develop a flower garden, resort, or hotel in order to support the development of Lake Toba's tourism.

"We can view from here the lake, a waterfall on Samosir Island, and a Sisingamangaraja historical site. I think these are complete," Jokowi stated.

The president particularly praised Lake Toba's scenery. There is another alternative location in Simalungun District where tourists can also enjoy the scenery of Lake Toba from a different perspective. "We have not decided, but it is possible that we would develop both of them," the president noted.

The government will formulate a grant concept for developing Lake Toba's tourism and will calculate the value of investment.

President Jokowi was on his three-day working visit to North Sumatra beginning Friday, to attend the Lake Toba Charm Carnival held to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

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