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A dispatch has just been received from Justin Friend, a long-time supporter of this website and a major player in the provision of excursions through his company, Austronesian Expedition Services.
Justin has been instrumental in opening numerous destinations to cruise ships, including Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Indonesia.
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| Sumatra (Justin Friend) |
While working with international expedition cruise lines, such as the French-flagged PONANT, he has played a major part in bringing together stakeholders to create enriching shore experiences in locations unsupported by the complex infrastructure of ports normally utilised by the big "white ship" fleet.
Yesterday, a press conference was held aboard PONANT's luxurious 184-passenger cruise ship Le Lapérouse in East Java. The subsequent media release is republished in full below.
The Australian Consulate-General in Surabaya and East Java Provincial Government working together to bring more Australian tourists to East Java.
The Australian Consulate-General in Surabaya and East Java Provincial Government welcomed the visit of the cruise ship Le Lapérouse to the Port of Probolinggo on Friday, 10 January.
The Le Lapérouse is one of the 14 ships in the PONANT fleet offering expeditions to remote destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific for tourists from Australia and elsewhere. "From the dramatic landscapes of Mount Bromo to the vibrant marine paradise of Raja Ampat, the Indonesian archipelago is the ideal destination for exploration on an expedition cruise ship” said Mick Fogg, the Australian Director of Expeditions at Ponant, who travelled from Sydney for the event.
The visit was supported by Australian-owned Austronesian Expedition Services, which coordinates the land-based elements of expeditions by Ponant and several other Australian-owned cruise lines. It has been operating across the Indonesian archipelago for five years and is looking to expand its operations in East Java.
Justin Friend, Director of Austronesian Expedition Services said his tours created opportunities for interaction with local people, which help build cultural understanding. “Our clients are keen to experience the culture and environment of Indonesia, including its wonderful food, art, music and dance. East Java is the perfect place for that type of experience”, said Mr Friend.
Mr Friend said “boutique cruises such as this offer the full cultural experience and often include naturalists, scientists and historians to educate passengers about the local people and environment. My clients include three Australian cruise lines that are looking expand their operations in Indonesia, including East Java.”
"We are pleased the Le Lapérouse passengers were able to visit East Java and Mount Bromo, which is one of Indonesia’s natural wonders" said Australian Consul-General Glen Askew. "This form of cultural tourism not only contributes to local economies and the livelihoods of local people but also strengthens people-to-people links”, Consul-General Askew added.
“The Australian Government, through the Provincial Road Improvement and Maintenance (PRIM) pilot program, supported maintenance works on the Bromo Tengger Semeru access road in Probolinggo Regency (2019-22). The project improved access to tourism, employment opportunities, healthcare, education, and social services along Indonesia’s provincial road network”, said Consul-General Askew.
“I am very proud and excited to welcome the arrival of this cruise ship to the Port of Probolinggo. The East Java Provincial Government is keen to talk further with Austronesian Expedition Services about bringing other cruise ships to destinations in East Java” said Ms Evy Afianasari, Head of the East Java Provincial Culture and Tourism Office.
“We greatly appreciate the initiative of the Australian Consulate-General in Surabaya in supporting the creation of this prestigious event” Ms Afianasari added. “We believe that this visit is the beginning of a closer collaboration between East Java and Australia in the future. This cultural and tourism exchange will not only benefit both parties economically, but also strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between nations”, said Ms Afianasari.
The Australian Consulate-General in Surabaya and East Java Provincial Government welcomed the visit of the cruise ship Le Lapérouse to the Port of Probolinggo on Friday, 10 January.
The Le Lapérouse is one of the 14 ships in the PONANT fleet offering expeditions to remote destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific for tourists from Australia and elsewhere. "From the dramatic landscapes of Mount Bromo to the vibrant marine paradise of Raja Ampat, the Indonesian archipelago is the ideal destination for exploration on an expedition cruise ship” said Mick Fogg, the Australian Director of Expeditions at Ponant, who travelled from Sydney for the event.
The visit was supported by Australian-owned Austronesian Expedition Services, which coordinates the land-based elements of expeditions by Ponant and several other Australian-owned cruise lines. It has been operating across the Indonesian archipelago for five years and is looking to expand its operations in East Java.
Justin Friend, Director of Austronesian Expedition Services said his tours created opportunities for interaction with local people, which help build cultural understanding. “Our clients are keen to experience the culture and environment of Indonesia, including its wonderful food, art, music and dance. East Java is the perfect place for that type of experience”, said Mr Friend.
Mr Friend said “boutique cruises such as this offer the full cultural experience and often include naturalists, scientists and historians to educate passengers about the local people and environment. My clients include three Australian cruise lines that are looking expand their operations in Indonesia, including East Java.”
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| Smaller, boutique expedition cruise ships like PONANT's Le Laperouse do not require conventional port facilities, enabling them to access remote locations (supplied) |
"We are pleased the Le Lapérouse passengers were able to visit East Java and Mount Bromo, which is one of Indonesia’s natural wonders" said Australian Consul-General Glen Askew. "This form of cultural tourism not only contributes to local economies and the livelihoods of local people but also strengthens people-to-people links”, Consul-General Askew added.
“The Australian Government, through the Provincial Road Improvement and Maintenance (PRIM) pilot program, supported maintenance works on the Bromo Tengger Semeru access road in Probolinggo Regency (2019-22). The project improved access to tourism, employment opportunities, healthcare, education, and social services along Indonesia’s provincial road network”, said Consul-General Askew.
“I am very proud and excited to welcome the arrival of this cruise ship to the Port of Probolinggo. The East Java Provincial Government is keen to talk further with Austronesian Expedition Services about bringing other cruise ships to destinations in East Java” said Ms Evy Afianasari, Head of the East Java Provincial Culture and Tourism Office.
“We greatly appreciate the initiative of the Australian Consulate-General in Surabaya in supporting the creation of this prestigious event” Ms Afianasari added. “We believe that this visit is the beginning of a closer collaboration between East Java and Australia in the future. This cultural and tourism exchange will not only benefit both parties economically, but also strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between nations”, said Ms Afianasari.
Source: Australian Consulate-General, Surabaya - Indonesia
Website: http://www.surabaya.consulate.gov.au
Website: http://www.surabaya.consulate.gov.au
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