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| Badan Otorita Danau Toba (BPODT), Jimmy Bernando Panjaitan. |
WORLD.WARTAGLOBAL.id- The recent statement by the Director of the Lake Toba Authority (BPODT), Jimmy Bernando Panjaitan, regarding the status of the Global Geopark Lake Toba, has sparked a sharp reaction. According to Jimmy, the necessary steps are simple, just follow the requests and standards of UNESCO. However, this statement has raised concerns about the preservation of the current UNESCO status.
Dr. Firman Sinaga, SST.Par.M.Si.Par, a tourism observer and Secretary of the Lake Toba Community Committee (KMDT), voiced his dissatisfaction with this statement. He questioned why the UNESCO status is treated lightly, likening it to a "yellow card." According to him, achieving UNESCO branding is a difficult accomplishment and should be carefully maintained.
However, Zumri Sulthony, the head of the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy of North Sumatra, believes that the "yellow card" received by Kaldera Toba will not affect Lake Toba's tourism. Dr. Firman Sinaga feels that this statement underestimates the importance of maintaining the image and branding of UNESCO, which is one of the attractions of the Lake Toba region.
Dr. Firman Sinaga also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the quality of tourism services, branding, and the image of the destination. He cites achievements such as ISO 20121 for Event Management and Michelin Stars for restaurants as examples of how tourist destinations need to strive for high standards.
He also highlights that in this era of globalization, image and branding are crucial for attracting tourist visits. Indonesia should learn from Bali's success in building a UNESCO Geopark.
This debate also raises questions about UNESCO's role in supporting the development of Lake Toba and Geoside as essential assets for future generations. The importance of preserving and maximizing the potential of the tourism destination in Lake Toba for the welfare of the community should also be considered.
Currently, there is still time to address this situation and ensure that Lake Toba remains a competitive attraction for domestic and international tourists. The hope is that tourism experts and local stakeholders can come together to safeguard UNESCO status and enhance the tourism potential of Lake Toba.
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