FGD with BPS Toba Regency, BPS Samosir Regency, and Bank Indonesia to Support Lake Toba Tourism Survey

Samosir, January 14, 2025– In order to support the development of the tourism sector in the Lake Toba area, BPS Toba Regency, BPS Samosir Regency, and Bank Indonesia held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The activity took place at the Café Hotel Jaya Tunas Sejati (JTS) Parbaba, Samosir Regency, from 09.00 to 13.00 WIB.

The FGD was attended by the Head of BPS Toba Regency, Sabar Alberto Harianja, together with the Head of the BPS Toba Regency Distribution Statistics Team, Postel Tampubolon. Meanwhile, from BPS Samosir Regency, the Head of BPS Samosir Regency, Devita Saragih, and the Head of the BPS Samosir Regency Distribution Statistics Team, Roni Hutapea, were present. From Bank Indonesia, the Head of Bank Indonesia Sibolga Representative, Riza Putera, was present along with team members, namely Yuda and Winda Sibagariang.

The discussion focused on collecting tourism data to support the progress of tourism in the Lake Toba area, especially in Toba Regency and Samosir Regency. This collaboration also aims to support the Lake Toba area as a National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) which has been determined by the government.

In this meeting, several strategic agreements were produced, including:

1. Accurate Tourism Data Collection

All parties agreed to collect data that includes the number of hotels (star and non-star), Room Occupancy Rate (TPK), Average Length of Guest Stay (RLMT), number of tourist visits, number of restaurants/eateries, number of tourist destinations, and average tourist spending. This data is expected to be accurate, accountable, and continuously updated regularly to support policy making.

2. Development of Beautiful Villages and Tourism-Aware Villages

The team from BPS and Bank Indonesia agreed to conduct joint development in villages, especially Beautiful Villages fostered by BPS and Tourism-Aware Villages fostered by Bank Indonesia. The focus of this development is on empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as groups in villages, especially in tourist villages.

Through this FGD, all parties are committed to supporting sustainable tourism development in Toba Regency and Samosir Regency. In addition to managing tourism data, development of MSMEs is also expected to be able to encourage village economic growth.

"This collaboration is an important step to provide quality data as a basis for decision making, while encouraging the development of the tourism sector and local economy," said the Head of BPS Toba Regency, Sabar Alberto Harianja.

With the collaboration between BPS and Bank Indonesia, it is hoped that the Lake Toba area can become a leading tourist destination that is increasingly developing, providing economic benefits for the local community, and supporting the development of the national tourism area. Horas.

By PT-MSH