JAKARTA. An integrated yacht marina is set to be developed in Banyuwangi in East Java on the back of an increasing number of foreign yacht visits to Indonesia.

The development of Boom Marina will reportedly be integrated with upgrades to Benoa Port in Bali and Labuan Bajo Port in East Nusa Tenggara--all slated to be completed by 2017. The project may also be expanded to include locations such as Karimunjawa Island in Central Java, Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara and Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara.

"We are confident the project will attract more tourists to Indonesia," said PT Pelindo Properti Indonesia (PPI) president director Prasetyo in a press release circulated on Tuesday.

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PPI is a subsidiary of state-run port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Pelindo III).

The development of marine tourism at Benoa Port is considered particularly vital, as the port is an entry point for holidaymakers arriving in Bali aboard cruise ships. 

In addition to being a destination port, where cruise ships drop off and later pick up the same passengers, Benoa also serves as a turn-around port, where cruise ships can drop off passengers who then go on to holiday in Bali. These passengers leave the island via other modes of transportation, and the cruise ships pick up new passengers before leaving for the next destination.

As reported by kompas.com, Pelindo III also announced other development plans including for Gili Mas and Mandalika Resort in Lombok and Alor in East Nusa Tenggara, as well as future cooperation with Raffles Marina in Singapore and Fremantle Sailing Club in Australia.

Prasetyo said the cooperation would involve support in planning and development, as well as operational and business training such as overseas internship programs for PPI staff. (nov/kes)