Bali developed into Indonesia

Bali developed into Indonesias turn-around Cruise Hub

Newly installed Director General for Tourism Marketing of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Dr.Sapta Nirwandar informed that the port of Benoa, in southern Bali is earmarked to become Indonesias international standard turn-around port for international cruise ships, which is expected to trigger further tourism growth in the eastern region of the archipelago, to include such ports like Kupang, Alor, Makassar and Bitung, very potential marine tourism destinations.

In order to achieve this, Benoa port must meet International Safety Port (ISP) standards required by IMO (International Marine Organization) and must simultaneously meet market demand. This means that Benoa can no longer function as container port only, but must be a port that includes entertainment and leisure. Many countries today have developed cruise harbours as a tourist destination in its own right, said Nirwandar.

Statistics compiled by the Department of Culture and Tourism reveal that Bali and Semarang in Central Java (sea access to the Borobudur temple) are still the two most favoured port of call of cruise ships to these waters.

In 2007 the number of international cruise passengers visiting Bali and Semarang were 4,066 and 2,471 respectively, while those visiting North Sumatra totaled 995 passengers. Whereas passengers calling on East Nusatenggara, South Sulawesi dan Papua were 749, 962, and 390 persons respectively. .

While the total number of cruise passengers to Indonesia of was 9,633 in 2007, which constitutes a huge increase compared to 4,939 in 2006., signifying that more cruise ships companies are now confident of safety in Indonesian waters. The number of cruise ships visiting in this 2008 Visit Indonesia Year is expected to exceed 100.

Source: Tuti Sunario for Indonesia Digest