HAMAWAS SUPPORTS LAKE TOBA’S GREEN CARD ACHIEVEMENT AS UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK THROUGH KUTEPAT TOLL ROAD ACCESS
NORTH SUMATRA – Lake Toba has officially regained its Green Card status from the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) Council during its session on September 5–6, 2025, in Chile. This recognition reaffirms Lake Toba’s consistency in preserving the environment, celebrating cultural diversity, and empowering local communities, while strengthening its standing as a world-class tourism destination that balances conservation and sustainable development.
One of the key enablers behind this achievement is improved infrastructure access. The Kuala Tanjung – Tebing Tinggi – Parapat (Kutepat) Toll Road, operated by PT Hutama Marga Waskita (Hamawas), has played a strategic role in opening wider and faster access to Lake Toba. The toll road, part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) network, connects travelers seamlessly to the area, reducing travel times and making the journey more comfortable and efficient.
Hamawas President Director, Dindin Solakhuddin, highlighted that this international recognition is aligned with the company’s commitment to supporting national tourism development through sustainable infrastructure. “Accessibility is the key to unlocking the full potential of Lake Toba’s tourism. With reliable toll road infrastructure, visitors can reach the destination faster and more efficiently. At the same time, the Kutepat Toll Road is managed with a sustainability approach, ranging from energy efficiency and environmental management to creating opportunities for local SMEs at rest areas. These aspects are directly in line with UNESCO’s Green Card evaluation criteria, ensuring that the journey to Lake Toba itself reflects the spirit of sustainable tourism,” said Dindin.
He further emphasized that Hamawas aims to deliver infrastructure that goes beyond its function as a transportation corridor. “We want every project we deliver to serve as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development. Integrated infrastructure is crucial in strengthening Lake Toba’s appeal as a world-class tourism destination,” he added.
With this Green Card recognition, Hamawas believes that the synergy between infrastructure and tourism will continue to reinforce Lake Toba’s position as a global icon of balance between nature, culture, and community. The presence of the Kutepat Toll Road stands as tangible proof of infrastructure’s role in accelerating access, unlocking new economic opportunities, and fostering sustainable tourism that benefits both current and future generations.