To revitalize tourism in Bali, the government is fast-tracking the development of the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH) on the enchanting Island of Gods. This ambitious project aims to transform Bali’s tourism landscape by enhancing its maritime infrastructure, providing a gateway for up to 400 tourist ships (yachts) and four to five cruise ships.
State-Owned Enterprises Minister, Erick Thohir, emphasized the significance of diversifying Bali’s tourism offerings beyond aviation. He highlighted the potential of BMTH to attract foreign tourists through maritime channels, complementing the island’s existing air travel-focused tourism sector.
“The focus now is on broadening Bali’s tourism horizons,” stated Minister Thohir during his visit to the BMTH project site in Denpasar, Bali, on Sunday (12/5/2024).
The presence of BMTH has already garnered interest among international tourists traveling by cruise ships or sailboats. Last year alone, in 2023, Benoa Port welcomed approximately 48 cruise ships, accommodating around 77,000 passengers.
Minister Thohir revealed that the current capacity of the tourist ship dock at Benoa Port in Denpasar, Bali, can handle up to 30 tourist ships and two cruise ships simultaneously.
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“Following the capacity expansion, we’ve witnessed an increase in tourist ship visits, including arrivals from Australia and Europe. These visitors can now explore Eastern Indonesia via Benoa Port, Denpasar, including destinations like Labuan Bajo and Raja Ampat,” elaborated Minister Thohir.
To facilitate the influx of tourists, various infrastructural developments are underway, including the construction of additional road access, targeted for completion by September 2024.
Minister Thohir aims for the official inauguration of the BMTH area by October 2024, envisioning an ecosystem that rivals similar attractions in global metropolises like New York, Sydney, or London. However, he acknowledged that full operationalization akin to these international hubs may take until 2027.
With a total investment exceeding Rp3 trillion, jointly funded by state-owned enterprises and the central government through State Capital Participation (PMN), BMTH is poised to become a lucrative venture, potentially yielding returns five to ten times the initial investment.
Significant progress has already been achieved in the BMTH project, with completion rates reaching 100% for various infrastructure components, including the development of gates, expansion of passenger terminals, coastal protection, and retaining walls.
Furthermore, ongoing efforts include land preparation for market areas and the advancement of basic infrastructure works, ensuring the seamless integration of Bali Maritime Tourism Hub into Bali’s tourism ecosystem. As one of the national strategic projects (PSN), BMTH is on track to be fully operational by 2024, promising to elevate Bali’s status as a premier tourist destination in the region.
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