INDONESIA’S Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is encouraging the country’s regional destinations to develop new ideas and land excursions to attract more cruise calls.
Rizki Handayani, director of MICE and special interest marketing, said: “We are working with the regional tourism stakeholders to come up with new products and revitalise existing products to attract more cruise calls.”
As part of product development, Rizki said her office has been visiting destinations like Sabang, West Sumatra, Bali and Central Java to conduct some workshops.
“In Sabang, for example, the port is ready but not the excursions. The potential is there.”
She said the deployment of international cruise ships in line with the opening of Singapore’s new cruise terminal provided new opportunities to develop cruise tourism in Indonesia further.
Rizki said the cruise sector this year has experienced the highest growth so far, with over 40 per cent increase in the number of calls and passengers. The total number of calls this year is 309 calls, contributing 159,578 passengers.
“Promotion wise, we are participating in trade exhibitions such as Cruise Shipping Miami. We also have sales missions, fam trips and a website on cruises.
“Internally, we have been working together with related government agencies, and fostering the development and improvement of ports in Indonesia to gradually meet the requirement of international cruise lines,” she said.
The ministry is also member of Cruise Down Under Association, promoting Indonesia in Australia and New Zealand.
