Indonesia wants more Australian cruises

“Australia has been contributing some 40 per cent of cruise calls to Indonesia. The number of Australians taking a cruise today is around (half a million), and is projected to reach one million (by 2020),” said Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu.

“So, this is a big market with huge potential that is waiting to be tapped, apart from the surfers, backpackers and other (leisure and MICE) segments (from Australia) to Indonesia.”

Indonesia has been registering double-digit growth in Australian arrivals over the past few years, with the market expanding by around 20 per cent in 2011 alone, added Pangestu.

According to Carnival Australia shore excursion manager Michael Mihajlov, apart from Bali, Lombok and Komodo Island were growing in popularity among P&O and Princess cruises sailing out of Australia.

Mihajlov said: “Travellers would like to see the real Indonesia, local activities, soft adventures, and something educational. Indonesia, in the minds of the Australians, is an exotic destination, with warm people and good value.”

(Source: TTG Asia)