Pelindo Records An Increase In The Number Of Passengers For Cruise Ships In Bali During January-October 2023

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - BUMN PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) Regional III Benoa, Denpasar, Bali, recorded an increase in cruise ship passengers on the Island of the Gods during the January-October 2023 period reaching nearly 22 thousand people, an increase significantly compared to the same period in 2022 which reached 180 people.

"The cause of the increase in passengers is a lot, one of which is the easing of regulations for foreign tourist visits by the government this year after the COVID-19 pandemic," said General Manager of Pelindo Benoa A A Gede Agung Mataram in Denpasar, quoted from Antara, Saturday, October 14.

The tens of thousands of foreign tourists were transported using 31 cruise ships that stopped at Benoa Port or increased compared to the same period in 2022, which only two cruise ships visited.

The origins of foreign tourists include the most from Europe, namely the Netherlands and the United States.

He added that the increase in the number of passengers was an indicator of the potential for cruise tourism in Indonesia, especially on the island of Bali, which was starting to improve.

For this reason, he will provide the best service to tourists and develop facilities that support tourism.

Cruise ship visits are predicted to continue to grow in mid-October until the end of 2023 due to 20 cruise ships planning to dock at Benoa Harbor.

He estimated that the cruise ship carried up to 30 thousand passengers from various countries.

"With this increase, it is hoped that the Indonesian tourism sector will continue to develop, having a positive impact on the local and national economy," he said.

His party has also received requests from a number of foreign cruise ship operators for docking at Benoa Port in 2024, which increased 45 percent compared to 2023.

In fact, for 2025, it has started to open for online registration for foreign cruise ships to dock at Benoa Harbor, Denpasar.

To improve cruise ship services at Benoa Port, a number of facilities were prepared at the passenger terminal, including rupiah currency exchange, automated teller machines, information outlets to MSME booths.