Wamenpar Optimistic That The 2025 Tourist Visit Target Has Been Achieved

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa (Kemenpar)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Tourism (Wamenpar) Ni Luh Puspa started activities on the first day of 2025 by welcoming foreign tourists (tourists) at Bandar Bentan Telani Port, Lagoi, Bintan, Riau Islands.

"I believe that earlier this year until the end of 2025 we can achieve the target for foreign tourist arrivals," said Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa, Wednesday (1/1/2025).

The reception of the first foreign tourists to set foot in Indonesia through the Riau Islands in 2025 provides a symbolic meaning as well as hope for the increasing performance of the tourism sector and has an impact throughout 2025.

The Riau Islands do have a strategic role and position in supporting foreign tourists visiting Indonesia. It is located which borders the sea with Singapore and Malaysia, making this archipelagic province one of the three largest entrances to foreign tourists to Indonesia after Bali and Jakarta.

The Riau Islands also has a variety of destinations and attractions, both natural, cultural, artificial, and sports-based destinations.

"So this is an extraordinary potential for Riau Islands to continue to increase the arrival of foreign tourists," said Wamenpar.

Wamenpar also encourages the tourism industry to increase innovation and creativity in presenting new destinations that prioritize quality and sustainable tourism.

"Improved practices are expected to make tourists stay longer and spend more," said Wamenpar.

For foreign tourist visits, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that until October 2024 the number of foreign tourists nationally had reached 11.6 million visits and it is believed that it will continue to grow until December 2024.

This number is approaching the realization in 2023 of 11.7 million visits.

"Currently (in 2025) the Ministry of Tourism is targeted to reach (visin visits) around 14 million to 16 million foreign tourists. I hope that more (tourists) come to the Riau Islands," said Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa.

The Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, appreciated the presence of Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa in welcoming the presence of the first foreign tourists in 2025 in the Riau Islands. He said this, showing a strong commitment from the Ministry of Tourism in supporting tourism development in the Riau Islands.

BPS data shows that the tourism sector in Riau Islands has experienced an increase after the COVID-19 pandemic. As of October 2024, the number of foreign tourist visits to Riau Islands reached 1.3 million.

"And there are still 2 more months (calculation). Plus November and December 2024, our tourist visits can reach 1.6 million to 1.7 million," said Ansar.

Prior to the pandemic, the number of foreign tourist visits to Riau Islands had reached 2.97 million in 2019. One of these was supported by immigration facilities set by the government, namely visa-free policies and visas on arrival.

This policy is currently expected to facilitate foreign tourists to Riau Islands. Previously, a visit visa-free policy was issued specifically for permanent Singaporean resident holders.

This visa relaxation policy has a significant positive impact on increasing the number of foreign tourists to Riau Islands by 2,935 tourists by the end of November 2024.

Currently, the Riau Islands Provincial Government has officially proposed that the visa-free policy for the visit be expanded to reach other entities in Singapore which also have significant potential as a new market niche.

The entity in question includes the Employment Pass holder; S Pass holder; Dependent Pass (DP) Holder of Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP); and Student Pass holder.

"Hopefully it can add to foreign tourist visits in Riau Islands," said Governor Ansar.

Meanwhile, for the increase in length of stay, the Riau Islands Provincial Government will intensify international events in Riau Islands.

"We have started activities such as triathlon, marathon, Tour de Bintan, and later we will encourage activities such as surfing kite, wind surfing, Asian tour kite, Asian golf tour, and others," said Ansar.

Wisman Welcome

The welcoming activity for the first foreign tourists in 2025 in Riau Islands Province was lively. Tourists are greeted with traditional Malay dances, Tanjak installation (a typical Malay head cap), hand-off of hand Bouquet, and souvenirs.

Fritz GREATer, a tourist from the United States who lives in Singapore, is the first foreign tourist to arrive in Bintan, Riau Islands. He was honored by the warm welcome given.

"I am very surprised and happy to be able to come to Indonesia on January 1 especially to Bintan," said Fritz.

He who came with his wife and two children, had known the natural beauty and Indonesian culture for a long time as well as the friendliness of the people.

Hal itu juga yang kemudian ia dan istri memilih Bali sebagai lokasi pernikahan.

"I've lived in Singapore for a long time, 18 years. And we got married in Bali, so we've had a long relationship with Indonesia," said Fritz.

Also present on the occasion were the Regent of Bintan, Roby Kurniawan; Deputy Regent of Bintan, Ahdi Muqsith; as well as the Head of the Riau Islands Tourism Office, Guntur Sakti.

Present to accompany Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa, Plt. Deputy for Destination Development and Infrastructure of the Ministry of Tourism, Hariyanto; Expert Staff for Crisis Management of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Fadjar Hutomo; and Director of Marketing for Tourism of the Archipelago Kemenparekraf, Dwi Marhen Yono.