TEMPO.CO, Sabang - Seven cruise ships have harbored in Sabang, Aceh Province in 2016. There are 8.000 tourists that came along with the luxurious cruises.

“We are very much optimistic that Sabang has become the magnet for world’s cruise ships. It is because the number of visitors is increasing,” the Head Unit Port Management of Sabang area (BPKS) Zulkarnaini Abdulah stated in a written report received by Tempo Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

With more interest of the cruise operators to harbor in Sabang, it will lead to an increase in people’s economy because it has a direct impact, according to him.

BPKS will always seek to give the best service to the cruise operators. “It is so that they will feel safe and comfortable when harboring in Sabang,” he said.

The last ship that stop-by in Sabang was Cruise MS. Pacific Eden with an English flag on Thursday, August 18, 2016. The ship brought 1.960 people with 1.341 passengers and 619 ship’s crew members, with Christopher James Norman as the captain.

The head of BPKS Sabang Fauzi Husin said that in the end of 2016, Sabang has been programmed to be visited by Cruise Islamic. BPKS is currently preparing the reception on the voyage of Islamic Open Sea Singapore-Langkawi-Penang-Aceh (Via Sabang Port).

The plan is that the cruise operator from Costa/Carnival side will bring 2.000 passengers and 900 ship’s crew members. Most of the tourist of Islamic Cruise intend to visit some area in Sabang and Banda Aceh, especially the Masjid Raya Baiturrahman of Banda Aceh.

The last checking for security port from Costa/Carnival side will be done on the 17-18^th of August 2016.

ADI WARSIDI