MELAKA: Some 10,000 visitors have gone on the Melaka River Cruise in the 14 days since the state reopened tourism on Oct 1 following its transition to Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan.

       Melaka River and Coastal Development Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Murad Husin said this bodes well for its target of getting 200,000 visitors for this year.

       “On Thursday alone, we recorded a total of 1,400 visitors and the number is expected to increase over the weekend, especially with interstate travel now allowed,” he said during a function on Friday.

       Murad said various plans will be implemented in stages to attract more tourists, including a pitstop package at 14 jetties under Phase One of the Sungai Melaka project involving the Muara Sungai Melaka to Taman Rempah route. This is expected to be launched on Oct 23.

       “Under the package, visitors can take the cruise to their destinations at the 14 stations like Kampung Morten, The Shore, Kampung Hulu and Kampung Jawa using a ‘one day access ticket’,” he said.

       A total of 28 pitstops will be built along the Melaka River for the cruise, he added.

       Murad said the tickets will be priced at RM25 for children, RM40 for adults and RM30 for senior citizens and students. Foreigners will be charged RM50 for adults and RM40 for children.

       Water taxis as a new medium of public transport will also be introduced.