February 2021, Only 173 Foreign Tourists Visited Riau Islands

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) noted that the number of foreign tourist visits to Riau Islands Province in February 2021 was recorded at 173 people or decreased by 33.72 percent compared to foreign tourists visiting in January 2021 with 261 visits.

When compared to February 2020, the number of foreign tourist visits to Riau Islands fell by 99.86 percent as a result of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, which has an impact on the tourism industry in the area.

"The decrease in the number of foreign tourist visits during February 2021 is due to the decrease in the number of foreign tourists visiting from one main entrance, namely Batam City, which decreased by 39.46 percent", said Head of BPS, Kepri Agus Sudibyo in Tanjungpinang, quoted by Antara, Sunday, April 4.

On the other hand, he said, the entrance to Karimun Regency has increased by 15 foreign tourists visiting. Meanwhile, Bintan Regency and Tanjungpinang City do not have foreign tourists visiting.

Cumulatively, from January to February 2021, the number of foreign tourists visiting Riau Islands reached 434 visits or decreased 99.88 percent when compared to the same period in the previous year.

The highest number of foreign tourist visits was from January to February 2021 according to the entrance, namely in Batam City, with 419 visits (96.54 percent), and followed by Karimun Regency with 15 visits (3.46 percent).

"Meanwhile, Bintan Regency and Tanjungpinang City do not have foreign tourists visiting", said Agus.

Foreign tourists visiting Riau Islands Province from January to February 2021 were dominated by Singaporeans and Malaysians, each reaching 3.46 percent of the number of foreign tourists from January to February 2021.