Bali needs sea port: PHRI

JAKARTA (JP): Bali, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, needs an international sea port to cater to marine tourism, the island's chapter of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) has said.

"Marine tourism has become a trend for U.S. and European tourists. We think it's important to build a sea port with international standards in northern Bali," the chairman of PHRI Bali, I Gde Wirata, said over the weekend.

The sea port would help increase incomes in the surrounding community, which had not enjoyed as much business from the tourist sector as the southern part of the island, he said.

"Most tourist facilities have been developed in southern Bali," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said the sea port would make Bali the first province in the country with an international sea port. (das)