Jakarta: International cruiseline operators have held discussions with the government in Jakarta to review the nation’s strict cabotage rules. The country is a hotspot for cruise tourism at the moment, but for it to develop and attract big ships to homeport in the archipelago then a review of the 2005 set cabotage rules will be necessary.
According to recent Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry data, there were 309 cruise calls made throughout 2013 and the number of foreign tourists brought to Indonesia aboard the ships totaled 159,578, with both figures representing an increase of more than 40% compared to 2012.
Any move to alter the cabotage rules, however, would meet fierce opposition from the Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA). Discussions continue. [24/12/13]
