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Dream Cruises pays first call to Bintan Island, signs MOU

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Dream Cruises president Thatcher Brown, left, and Bapak Dr. Nurdin Basirun, governor of Kepulauan Riau Province, Indonesia, exchanged mementos during Genting Dream’s inaugural arrival to Bintan Island July 7
Dream Cruises' Genting Dream made its inugural visit to Bintan Island, Indonesia, as part of the ship's year-round itineraries from Singapore across the ASEAN region.

Genting Dream's newly enhanced 'Two-Night Weekend Getaway' cruise with optional Bintan Island shore excursions will provide a convenient option for travelers to explore the nearby tropical island destination.

The 150,000gt Genting Dream became the first international cruise ship of its size to call, opening new opportunities for further tourism development.

MOU with PT. Bintan Resort Cakrawala

In conjunction with this event and as part of Genting Cruise Lines' long-term commitment to Indonesia and the region, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with PT. Bintan Resort Cakrawala for a joint effort to create new opportunities for Bintan Island's cruise tourism development. Genting Cruise Lines recognises the need for more adequate cruise infrastructure in the region and with recent calls to Indonesia's Medan and North Bali, the company is optimistic that similar success will be achieved with its deployment to Bintan Island.

A special event at the Bintan Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal was attended by Indonesian government dignitaries, business and trade partners, local and regional media, and Genting Cruise Lines and Dream Cruises management.

'Indonesia continues to be a well-appreciated destination and key source market for the Genting Cruise Lines brands. Today, Dream Cruises is extremely excited to be here in Bintan Island to celebrate another milestone with our Indonesian partners and friends as Genting Dream makes her debut in one of Indonesia’s most popular islands,' Dream Cruises president Thatcher Brown said.

Commitment to developing Indonesian tourism

'With Genting Dream sailing to numerous destinations in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, North Bali and, now, Bintan Island, we remain highly committed in developing Indonesia’s tourism industry, along with the regional cruise industry as a whole,' Brown added.

Genting Dream's regular calls with contribute to Bintan's economy and boost the island's image, according to Bapak Dr. Indroyono Soesilo, honorary adviser to Indonesia's tourism minister and chairperson, Acceleration Team for Marine Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism.

Indonesia's ambassador to Singapore, Bapak I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, said this is the beginning of a wider exposure of Bintan Islands as a world-class tourism destination, adding 'it is essential that Bintan should prepare itself to welcome more foreign tourists and make their stay in the islands convenient, enjoyable and memorable.'

Wide variety of excursions

With a 12-hour stay at Bintan Island, vacationers will have time to experience the entire island, exploring its pristine, white-sand beaches, quaint seaside villages and an impressive list of hotels and resorts offering water sports activities.

Shore excursions include sampling the local food, shopping, traditional Indonesian massage, wakeboarding, kayaking, snorkelling, off-road ATV adventures, Safari Lagoi, ECO Farm a mangrove eco tour. A number of world-class golf courses are available, too.