By
Rebecca Gibson |
Genting Cruise Lines and PT. Bintan Resort Cakrawala have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help grow the cruise tourism industry on Bintan Island in Indonesia.
Together, the two organisations will develop more adequate cruise infrastructure on the island and create new tourist-related offerings on Bintan Island.
"We are very grateful, that this new breakthrough will bring forward tourism sector of Bintan, which certainly will increase number of visitors as well as growth of regional income in the area of tourism,” said Bapak Apri Sujadi, Regent, Bintan Regency in Indonesia.
The MOU was signed on 7 July when Dream Cruises’ 150,000gt Genting Dream made her inaugural call to Bintan Island, becoming the first international cruise ship of her size to do so.
Genting Dream’s maiden visit marked the start of a series of new two-day ‘Weekend Getaway’ roundtrips from Singapore to Bintan Island, which will enable guests to spend 12 hours exploring Bintan Island and participate in various shore excursions. These activities enable guests to sample local cuisines, go shopping, have a traditional Indonesian massage, go wakeboarding, try kayaking, participate in snorkelling sessions, take an off-road ATV tour, join a Mangrove Eco Tour and visit the Safari Lagoi or ECO Farm. Guests can also opt for a golf excursion or arrange a ‘Free and Easy Expedition’ to benefit from inclusive ferry service and coach transfers to and from Plaza Lagoi Bay in the Bintan Island Resorts area.
Each call will bring around 3,000 to 5,000 international visitors to Bintan Island.
“Indonesia continues to be a well-appreciated destination and key source market for the Genting Cruise Lines brands,” said Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises. “With Genting Dream sailing to numerous destinations in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, North Bali and now Bintan Island, we remain highly committed in developing Indonesia’s tourism industry, along with the regional cruise industry as a whole. Together with the continued support of the local government and the various partners, we will continue to work closely to develop and accelerate the cruise tourism potential of Bintan Island.”