Bali's Benoa Port Wins Best Port Welcome Award

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III, Benoa branch, Bali, has  received a "Best Port Welcome 2010" award from "Dream World Cruise Destination" magazine which is based in London, a spokesman said.

The magazine had presented the award to a representative of Indonesia's tourism and culture ministry,  Sapta Nirwandar,  at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention 2011 that was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, on March 16, 2011, said Iwan Sabatini,general manager of PT Pelabuahan Indonesia III's Benoa branch, said here Monday.

"We are grateful we have received the award as the best port.  the award will  be a motivation to further improve  services at the largest sea port on the island ," Iwan said.

He added, the awards was  evidence that Benoa port had already gained international trust and met world  standards as port of call for cruise ships.

"We always provide international standard services to cruise ships  which anchor at Benoa port," Iwan said.

Iwan said, to increase  tourist visits to Bali by cruise ships, the company was continuing  to improve the facilities and infrastructures at the port.

"We are gradually improving the facilities and infrastructure supporting the pier, so the service will be better in welcoming the cruise ships' arrivals in Bali," Iwan added.

He noted, according to a schedule obtained from the various cruise ship companies abroad, at least 140 cruise ships in 2011 will visit Indonesia.

"We are targeting 40 units of the number of cruise ship visits to Indonesia will  stop in  Benoa port," Iwan hoped.(*)