Indonesia will open new cruise liner destinations in Bangka Belitung Islands and Natuna following increasing demand from European travelers.

“The enthusiasm of Europeans to go to Bangka Belitung and Natuna is very strong and it shows that Indonesia’s maritime tourism industry is very promising,” Culture and Tourism Ministry marketing director Sadar Pakarti told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Sunday.

The plan came up after Indonesia participated in the three-day Seatrade Europe event, one of the leading events for sea or river cruises in the world, both for public and private operators of ferries and super yachts, held in Hamburg, Germany, on Sept. 27-29.

During the meetings with cruise itinerary designers, hotel managers and representatives of destinations, they said that they wanted Indonesia to open new destinations near Singapore.

Sadar said that ...