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Bali
Remains a Popular Cruise Destination
Bali is still a favorite
among some Australian cruise destinations.
Bali’s nestling point, which holds
a strategic spot on the cruise routes, has
made this island become a routine port of
call for many cruises. Hugh Jackson and
Michael Cousins, respectively the Managing
Director and Operation Manager of Megawest
Cruises in Perth, Western Australia, addressed
people in Kuta on Saturday, March 29, informing
them that the Megawest cruise will be operating
this summer holiday, September-October 2003.
“Our cruise will make Bali our second
home,” Hugh told Bali Travel News.
 Freemantle-based
in West Australia, The Megawest Cruise will
be sailing around South East Asia 72 times
a year. During the period, the cruise will
stop in Bali 25 times, which means every
fortnight carrying from 800 to 1000 guests.
“There is no reason for us not to drop
by in Bali. It is a beautiful place in a
strategic location and tourists love it!”
said Hugh Jackson. The cruise ship will
anchor in Padangbai Harbor and from there,
the guests will be taken all around the
island. Besides Bali, Lombok and Semarang
are the other harbors scheduled to be visited
by the cruise.
Great Interest
According to Hugh and Michael, Australians’
love spending their holiday on cruises.
The interest has increased since recent
terrorist attacks on aeroplanes. “For
these last five years, the cruise market
from West Australia to Bali and South East
Asia has not been well-developed,”
said Michael. Giving a clear picture of
the cruise market, Hugh and Michael informed
that from a 1.2 million population in Perth,
10% will spend their holiday on a cruise
at least once a year. That means there will
be of 120.000 a potential market. “From
this, we are expecting to take 5,000 guests
to Bali per year,” Michael added.
Jackson and Cousins are now trying to commence
the Megawest operation by initiating business
contacts with Bali tourism entrepreneurs
and the government. “We are glad that
we could help Bali recover its tourism.
However, we can only do this with support
given to us according to the policies,”
said Hugh and Michael.
The Bali blast and Iraq war, according to
Hugh and Michael, have meant Bali has become
a less popular holiday destination and many
employees are under threat of losing their
jobs. “Hopefully, our presence can
contribute to helping,” they said.
They were optimistic that Megawest Cruise
Ltd. will bring tourists to Bali since it
has already been popular with West Australians
and now is very safe. The presence of Megawest
Cruise Ltd., Cousins said, is a good sign
for Bali tourism and investments, as it
will encourage other businesses to follow.
The managing director of Pacific World,
Ida Bagus Lolec, said that cruises would
be a good alternative in the future. “In
Bali, we have had a lot of experience in
handling cruises,” said Lolec, who
has been being a handling agent for American
and European cruises since 1980s. “Now
that Australian cruises are setting their
sights on Bali, we must welcome it with
open arms,” he stressed. (dp)
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