JAKARTA – The Indonesian government has signalled a substantial upgrade to Bali’s Benoa cruise port.
Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir says he wanted to deliver a “world-class port” in Bali by integrating port services, business and tourism.
“Benoa will become a one-stop area facilitated by an art centre, culinary tour and SME trading centre. There will also be a convention hall, trading centre and many others,” the minister said in an official statement.
The minister said the proposed developments would cater to cruise passengers who were stopping over in Bali for a short time and wanted to shop and experience local cuisine.
Cruise passengers will be among those targeted, along with MICE visitors, as Bali debates a change in direction to attract quality not quantity tourism.
The head of the Bali Tourism Service, I Putu Astawa said many countries once seen as potential inbound markets have, with the passage of time, been shown to only produce low-quality visitors.