MELAKA: The selection of Melaka as a stopover destination for the luxury cruise ship Genting Dream Cruise presents an opportunity to add value and attract more visitors to the state, in line with the target of attracting 18 million tourists for the Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM2024). Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh emphasized the enhancement of Melaka’s reputation as a prime cruise destination in Malaysia and Asia, encouraging other international cruise operators to consider Melaka as a stopover.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Chief Minister noted the significant impact of the cruise ship’s capacity, likening it to the arrival of multiple Airbus A380s, with each cruise carrying over 4,000 passengers. This capacity is expected to boost the state’s tourism sector, as the cruise ship will dock in Melaka every Monday for a year. The inaugural stopover of the Genting Dream Cruise from Singapore to Melaka saw a warm welcome with cultural performances, signifying the start of the “2-Night Cruise” packa
ge aimed at enhancing sea transport services.
Ab Rauf highlighted the promising tourist influx, with the ICQS jetty recording 47,997 tourists from Indonesia last October. With 52 cruises planned across the Straits of Melaka by Resort World Cruises, approximately 200,000 tourists are anticipated annually. The 12-hour anchoring period allows tourists to immerse themselves in Melaka’s cultural and historical offerings.
In celebration of the cruise’s maiden voyage to Melaka, the state government announced incentives for cruise ship passengers, including free entry to attractions like Menara Taming Sari, the Museum of History and Ethnography, and performances at Encore Melaka, further promoting the state’s vibrant tourism landscape.