Jakarta: Indonesian authorities are committed to ramping up cruise infrastructure as the number of visitors to the archipelago onboard cruiseships soars.
Official figures show 21,616 foreign tourists arrived in Indonesia on board cruiseships in 2008 — the figure tripled to 68,566 in 2009 and further increased to 94,166 in 2010, 112,882 in 2011 and 114,000 in the first half of 2012 alone.
“We’ve estimated the figure to increase to 160,000 in 2013,” an official told the Jakarta Post over the weekend.
The number of cruiseships docking in Indonesia increased from 36 vessels in 2008 to 135 u vessels in 2009, 189 vessels in 2010, 176 vessels in 2011 and 214 vessels in the first half of 2012. Authorities anticipate up to 300 cruiseliners visiting in 2013.
Facilities are being developed at several sea ports, including at Benoa Port in Denpasar, Belawan Port in Medan, Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang and Kumai Port in Central Kalimantan. [22/10/12]
