• Grab launches Grab Toba operations and establishes strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism through the Lake Toba Authority Board (BPODT) to support the tourism sector of Lake Toba and its surroundings.

• As part of this collaboration, the Tobasa District Tourism Agency trained 300 GrabRent Toba driver partners to become tour guides.

• Grab also supports the ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ program by promoting Lake Toba tourist destinations to more than 155 million Grab users in more than 8 countries within Southeast Asia

Tobasa, 6 September 2019 – After launching the GrabCar Airport service at Silangit Airport and 6 other airports in Sumatra to facilitate travel for millions of visitors and supporting the tourism sector, Grab, the leading superapp in Southeast Asia, and the Lake Toba Tourism Authority Agency, today launched Grab Toba operations and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the development of Lake Toba tourism, North Sumatra. With the operational support of Grab Toba and this collaboration, it is hoped that it can encourage domestic and international travellers by providing the best experience for visitors in one of Indonesia’s top priority tourist destinations.

This strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism through the Lake Toba Tourism Authority Agency is a continuation of the collaboration between Grab and the Ministry of Tourism to support the ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ program and to complete Grab’s official presence in 14 airports throughout Indonesia, including Kuala Namu Airport, Medan and Silangit Airport.

The inauguration of the Toba Grab operation was conducted by Maritime Affairs Coordinating  Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, President Director of the Lake Toba Authority Board (BPODT) Arie Prasetyo and President of Grab Indonesia Ridzki Kramadibrata, witnessed by a number of Regents from around the Lake Toba area, tourism strategic partners and hundreds of tourism partners in Laguboti Sub-District, Toba Samosir Regency , North Sumatra. Previously, as many as 300 GrabRent Toba’s driver partners had received training on how to become tour guides from the Tobasa District Tourism Office and other expert presenters.

In his remarks, Maritime Affairs Coordinating  Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said, “This collaboration is a realization of Grab’s commitment to help accelerate the development of the tourism sector in Lake Toba, which is one of the 5 super priority destinations in Indonesia. I appreciate this initiative since it is in line with President Jokowi’s instructions to prioritize the development of 5 tourist destinations across sectors and integrated by 2020. Now Grab is one of the government’s partners to socialize this to the world. With one launch, 18 million people can see it, if you open it, 108 million will see this, and we are entering the international network. The role of Grab and its partners provides understanding and becomes a center of information. Grab and the government have made several tour package routes to the Lake Toba Region for 1 day, 2 days and so on. There is also a 3 day 2 night route, starting off from Silangit airport”

President Director of the BPODT Arie Prasetyo, representing the Ministry of Tourism, said, “This collaboration is a continuation of the partnership of the Ministry of Tourism and Grab in supporting the Wonderful Indonesia program. After the official presence of Grab’s services at Silangit airport, this partnership is expected to help realize the target of 1 million tourists visiting Lake Toba by 2023 set by the government while supporting the official target to bring in 20 million foreign tourists this year. We hope Grab can become the digital platform that can integrate the tourism ecosystem of Lake Toba so that tourists, especially foreign tourists, can enjoy this convenience.”

President of Grab Indonesia, Ridzki Kramadibrata added, “We are pleased to receive the trust and support of the Ministry of Tourism, and feel honored to be able to play a role in promoting Lake Toba tourism to tourists and our millions of users throughout Southeast Asia via our application. With Grab Toba operations, we offer GrabRent services that are very suitable for tourists on Lake Toba who need transportation facilities that can be used to visit several tourist attractions at once as well as Grab Toba driver partners who have received training to become tour guides. In addition, we provide tourism recommendations, local food options and other benefits in the Grab application to get a memorable travel experience that can be accessed from just one application.”

Through Grab Toba operations and this collaboration, Grab will offer various initiatives to provide more amazing experiences for domestic and international tourists visiting Lake Toba and its surroundings.

Travel to various tourist sites on Lake Toba safely and comfortably

• Tourists can easily order a GrabCar Airport services officially at Silangit Airport and Kuala Namu Airport, Medan. When landing, visitors can simply order the GrabCar Airport service directly from the Grab application and visit the official pick-up point for pickup. Visitors will naturally get GrabCar Airport rates according to the application that was approved at the beginning and provide certainty at an affordable price.
• GrabRent services can be enjoyed by tourists if they want to rent a car for several hours, so they can easily travel to and from various tourist attractions. Grab is the only ride-hailing that offers this service in Indonesia.
• The GrabChat feature (the messaging service in the Grab application) helps reduce language barriers, by directly translating messages into various languages that are often used in Southeast Asia, between users and driver partners.
• Tourists can also easily book hotels through the Hotels feature in the Grab app before they arrive at Lake Toba and its surroundings.

Get local recommendations and additional benefits

• GrabRent’s driving partners will also receive training on how to become our guides and will also receive a ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ certification from the Ministry of Tourism after attending special courses. Tourists can now experience a safe and comfortable travel experience while learning more about Indonesian culture and hyperlocal approach from certified driver partners.
• Tourists can find restaurant recommendations and taste local culinary specialties with GrabFood, as well as find reviews and information related to the best tourist and cultural attractions in Indonesia through a daily news feed, available directly on the Grab application.
• Users can exchange their GrabRewards points that can be enjoyed at the airport for various benefits such  as the ‘Travel’ category in GrabRewards.

“As the fifth unicorn in Indonesia and the first decacorn in Southeast Asia, Grab wants to continue to positively contribute wherever Grab operates. Through this collaboration we hope to bring growth to  the local economy including increasing the income of Grab driver partners and the community in Lake Toba and the surrounding areas, ” concluded Ridzki.