North Sumatra to promote tourism at 32nd IMT-GT Forum

The 32nd Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Forum, scheduled to take place in Medan from September 7–10, 2026, serves as a strategic platform for North Sumatra to promote its tourism and Geopark potential to international delegates.

Sonny A. Soekoer, Assistant Deputy for Regional Economic Cooperation at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, stated that the forum aims to strengthen cross-border tourism cooperation through thematic tourism development and the enhancement of Geopark networks. To encourage longer stays, delegates from Malaysia and Thailand will be facilitated to explore local tourism areas and creative industry exhibitions.

Existing sub-regional cooperation includes efforts to strengthen and certify the Geopark network between Samosir in the Lake Toba region and Langkawi, Malaysia. The forum is expected to be attended by economic ministers from the three nations, senior officials, business association leaders, and hundreds of regional business actors.