State-owned port operator PT Pelindo III is ready to welcome the arrivals of at least 153 cruise ships at several seaports under its management in 2019.

The 153 cruise ships had informed about their plans to visit Indonesia, Director for Operational and Commercial Affairs of Pelindo III Putut Sri Muljanto stated here on Monday.

Benoa Port in Bali is expected to receive the largest number, with 75 cruise ships; followed by 17 cruise ships at Lembar Port in West Nusa Tenggara; 16 cruise ships at the Tanjung Emas Port in Central Java; 16 cruise ships at the Tanjung Perak Port in East Java; 12 cruise ships at Probolinggo Port; six cruise ships at the Celukan Bawang Port in Bali; three cruise ships at Kalabahi Port in West Nusa Tenggara; three cruise ships at Badas; two cruise ships at Ende Port; and one cruise ship each at Maumere, Banyuwangi, and Kupang.

Last year, 149 cruise ships had planned to visit Indonesia through the Pelindo III ports though only 136 had arrived.

The number of cruise ship arrivals in Indonesia has increased from year to year. In 2017, some 125 cruise ships had arrived.

Pelindo III has revitalized and expanded seaport facilities across Indonesia to provide better services.

Corporate Secretary of Pelindo III Faruq Hidayat highlighted the commitment of Pelindo III to supporting the government's target of receiving 20 million foreign tourists.

At least 88,778 foreign tourists had entered Indonesia through Pelindo III`s seaports in 2017, and the number increased to 125,218 foreign tourists in 2018, he noted.

More than 15.81 million tourists had visited Indonesia last year, up 12.58 percent, from 14.04 million a year earlier, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya noted while quoting data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

The five countries listed as the top five sources of tourist arrivals in Indonesia last year by the Tourism Ministry were Malaysia, with 2.50 million, or 15.83 percent; China, with 2.14 million, or 13.52 percent; Singapore, with 1.77 million, or 11.19 percent; Timor Leste, with 1.76 million, or 11.15 percent; and Australia, with 1.30 million, or 8.23 percent. (ANTARA)