Indonesia has again become a popular destination for European cruise ships this cruising season. The French liner Costa Marina and the German vessel “Albatros” have made Pare-pare and Makassar, both in South Sulawesi, and Benoa, Bali their ports of call. These are to be followed suit by a Dutch cruise ship this week, reports Media Indonesia. 

On 3 February, the French liner “Costa Marina” carrying some 496 tourists called on Makassar, while the Albatros called on Makassar on 14 February with 596 tourists European and American tourists and 518 crew on board. Passengers came mostly from Germany, Austria France, Switzerland, Greece, USA and Canada. Earlier on 11 February, the ship called on Pare-pare, where tourists enjoyed the sights at Barru and Sidrap  
“The Albatros is the first large cruise ship with a length of 205 meters to berth at the Port of Benoa, said Bali’s PELNI handling agent chief, HB Harahap. The ship stayed in Bali for some 11 hours, while tourists took in Besakih, Gianyar, Kintamani and Celuk, said Harahap. After leaving Bali, the Albatros proceeded on its voyage to Timor Leste and Darwin.
Whereas, the Dutch cruise liner carrying an expected 1,800 passengers and crew will call on Padangbai at Karangasem. Sightseeing tours include visits to the Besakih temple, Taman Ujung, Tirta Gangga, Candi Dasa, the traditional village of Tenganan. There are also offered  tours to Kintamani and Toya Bungkah.
In the latest development, Head of the Statistics Bureau said that foreign visitors arrival in January through Indonesia’s 15 main entry air and seaports was up 6.9% totaling 317.600 compared to 297,000 in January 2006, however, this was down 18.7% compared to December. December being the usual peak season.
January arrivals to Bali registered a significant 35.8% increase compared to the same month last year, although this was down 10.1% compared to the previous month of December.  While average room occupancy in Bali hotels in December came to 50.3%, up from 45.8% in November. Nationwide, average room occupancy in December was 49.3%, up 3.8% from the average 45.49% in November 2006.