Batam Ready To Welcome International Tourists

Nongsapura Ferry Terminal in Batam City, Riau Islands, which is designated as a place for foreign tourists to arrive in the Batam-Singapore travel bubble scheme. ANTARA/Naim

BATAM - The Batam City Government, Riau Islands, said it was ready to welcome the arrival of foreign tourists from Singapore with the COVID-19 travel bubble scheme.

"Overall, both the regional government and tourism actors are very ready to welcome foreign tourists," said Batam City Culture and Tourism Office Head Ardiwinata in Batam, Riau Islands, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 19.

The plan is for foreign tourists to start arriving in Batam on Wednesday, February 23 to travel with a bubble system in the Nongsa Sensation Area.

Ardi hopes that the arrival of the first foreign tourists can be an encouragement for Batam and a positive signal for the recovery of tourism in Indonesia.

"Keep the trust for Batam. Do not let there be a bad side that will hurt the government's efforts to restore this tourism," he said.

Meanwhile, Batam City Secretary Jefridin invited all tourism people and related parties to try to give a good impression to every tourist who came.

"We have to do it well, how the first impression is really impressive. And this will have an impact on the future of Batam tourism," said the Regional Secretary after accompanying the Government Spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling Wiku Adisasmito and Deputy for Marketing Kemenparekraf RI Nia Niscaya reviewing readiness of the travel bubble at the Nongsapura Ferry Terminal, Saturday.

He hopes that the travel bubble policy will be successful and will have a positive impact on tourism and the economy of Batam City.

"It must be memorable and successful. This first travel bubble reflects the success of the next travel bubble," said Jefridin.