Indonesia determined to increase share of cruise and yacht market

Indonesia remains intent on increasing the number of cruise ship visits in order to bolster foreign tourist arrival targets

Balipost.com reports that the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Transportation are cooperating to stimulate cruise ship arrivals by lowering port fees for cruise ships.

Indroyono Soesilo, chairman of the team for the Acceleration of the Development of Sea Tourism from the Ministry of Tourism, said, “Thanks be to God, there is already a circular memorandum from the Department of Sea Communication of discounts on port charges for yachts and cruise ships.”

Bali’s Port of Benoa ranks #1 nationally in terms of cruise ship visits, followed by Lembar (Lombok) and Tanjung Mas (Semarang).

The number of cruise ships visiting the Port of Benoa during Q1 2017 increased 34% compared to the same period in 2016. The total number of ships berthing in Benoa totaled 37 as compared to 25 ships in the first quarter of 2016. Ship visits peaked in February and March, with 10 ship visits in each month,” said the general manager of Pelindo III – Benoa, Ardy Basuki.

This increase in cruise ship visits also resulted in more tourist arrivals by ship.

The Port of Benoa continues to improve its facilities, including lengthening the pier from 290 meters to 340 meters. The passenger terminal is also being substantially enlarged.

Cruises ships of 295 meters are now able to dock alongside in the Port of Benoa.

Welcoming the news, the Indonesian Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya said: “Problem solved, two problems have been resolved regarding hydrographics and the port fees for yachts, super yachts, and Cruise ships. That means we are left with two problems regarding taxes and the high-cost economy.”

Arief Yahya said that in the past berthing fees in Indonesia were on the average 10-15% higher than those charged in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. The Minister hopes that the new regulations will result in a rapid revision of port fees to more competitive levels.

Source : http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=16617