HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE TO BRING TOURISTS TO LOMBOK

Mataram, Indonesia, Nov 14 (ANTARA) - A Holland-America cruise ship is to make a stop in Lembar port in Leombok Barat district in February 2009 to let 900 of its passengers enjoy the region's tourist objects, a local tourism official said.

The "MS Rotteram " carrying 1,200 passengers would dock at Lembar port on February 24 next year, Lalu Gita Ariadi, head of West Nusatenggara (NTB)'s tourism office, said here Friday.

"About 900 of the ship's 1,200 passengers will visit a number of tourist objects in Lombok guided by personnel of Lombok Paradise Tours and Travel," Lalu Gita said.

Upon arrival at Lembar port, the tourists would be welcomed with various traditional art performances.

Among the objects to be visited were the traditional village of Sade in Lombok Tengah district and a handicraft industry center in Lombok island.

Lalu Gita said the upcoming visit by the tourists on board MS Rotterdam k showed that the situation in the province was conducive, including for tourism purposes.

Nusa Tenggara Barat province has set itself a foreign tourist arrival target of 200,000 for 2009.