JAKARTA, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Benoa Harbor in Indonesia's Bali has made significant strides in its development through substantial investment, reinforcing the island's ambition to become a world-class cruise tourism destination, an official said on Friday.

The Anthem of the Seas, a cruise liner owned by Royal Caribbean, docked at Benoa Harbor on Friday. With a length of 347 meters and a weight of 168,666 gross tonnage, it is the largest cruise ship ever to berth at the harbor.

According to local media, the vessel carried 4,279 foreign tourists and 1,500 crew members.

"This is a strategy for high-quality tourism because the passengers are high-income travelers," said Wayan Koster, governor of Bali Province.

Prasetyo, director of strategy at PT Pelindo, which operates the port, said that the successful docking of such a large cruise ship signifies Benoa Harbor's readiness to serve as Bali's maritime tourism hub.

The harbor has been recognized for implementing environmentally friendly technology, waste management systems, energy efficiency measures, and digitalized port services.

Last year, Bali welcomed 6.3 million foreign tourists, underscoring its status as a premier global travel destination. Enditem

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