– Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, welcomed the first foreign tourists from Singapore in 2024 at Bandar Bentan Telani Port in Bintan, Riau Islands
– Riau Islands is the third most visited province by foreign tourists in Indonesia
– Tourism attractions in Riau Islands include Lagoi Bay, Treasure Bay, Trikora Beach, Bukit Pasir, Poyotomo and Ekang Anculai villages, and the Patung Seribu Temple in Tanjungpinang
– The Riau Islands government has proposed a program for free visa on arrival for tourists, currently under review
– Until October 2023, Riau Islands had welcomed more than 1.2 million foreign tourists, with expectations of continued growth
– Governor Ansar Ahmad mentioned that tourism has been improved in Riau Islands, with more than 1.5 million foreign tourists visiting until the end of December 2023
– The government also projected that the Christmas and New Year holidays could contribute up to Rp120 trillion toward the national economy
– This marks a positive start to the New Year, boosting tourism prospects for Riau Islands, as the proposal for free visa on arrival is under review, the province could see even more foreign visitors, providing a much-needed economic stimulus.