20 Tourists From Singapore Scheduled To Visit Batam In The Travel Bubble

Nongsa Pura Ferry Terminal which is designated as the arrival gate for foreign tourists in the travel bubble scheme in the Nongsa Sensation Area, Batam City, Riau Islands. (ANTARA/Naim)

BATAM - As many as 20 foreign tourists from Singapore are scheduled to visit the Nongsa Sensation Area in Batam City, Riau Islands, in the implementation of the first travel bubble scheme, Wednesday, February 23.

"Tomorrow 20 people will come," said Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad in Batam, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 22.

In numbers indeed, 20 foreign tourists are relatively few. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of foreign travelers visiting Batam every day could reach thousands. However, according to Ansar, the figure is relatively good because it is still in its prime.

"In Bali also initially 11 people," said the Governor.

Tourist visits to Bintan Lagoi Resort, Bintan Regency, have not been reported. However, the area manager is targeting 150 foreign tourists to vacation there.

He hopes that the Singapore government will increase the number of citizens who are allowed to come to Riau Islands every day.

Currently, the Singapore Government is still limiting the number of its citizens who return from the Riau Islands every day. Whereas Riau Islands welcome 500 Singaporeans to visit every day.

"We ask for a reciprocal policy (reciprocal) the number of tourists who come and go, must be the same," said the governor.

According to him, the Indonesian government as well as tourism actors continue to strive so that the Singapore government is willing to change its policies.

"Hopefully it can be resolved, so that the number of those who come is in accordance with those who return," he said.

If the Nongsa, Bintan Resort, and Singapore travel bubbles go well, then the government is expected to implement a Vaccinated Travel Lane (TVL) policy.

"No VTL yet, it's still a travel bubble. But the direction is definitely there," said the Governor.