35 Tourists From Singapore Arrive In Bintan Riau Islands

Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad welcomed the arrival of Singaporean tourists to Lagoi, Bintan, Friday (25/2/2022). BETWEEN/OGEN

BINTAN - A total of 35 foreign tourists from Singapore with a travel bubble scheme arrived at the Lagoi tourist area, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands using the Indera Bupala ship.

They consist of general tourists and six representatives of the Indonesian Embassy, including the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryo Pratomo.

The arrival of foreign tourists from neighboring countries is greeted with the use of a Tanjak or a typical Malay hat by Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad accompanied by Deputy Chair of the Riau Islands DPRD, Dewi Kumalasari, GM Bintan Resort Cakrawala (BRC), Abdul Wahab, Regent of Bintan, Robby Kurniawan, and the local Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (FKPD).

"This is the first foreign tourist to Bintan after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, it will continue, and the number of arrivals will increase", said Governor Ansar Ahmad, quoted by Antara on Friday, February 25.

Ansar said the Singapore government was still limiting 50 people per day or 350 foreign tourists coming to Bintan in a week. In fact, the Indonesian government provides opportunities for as many as 500 people per day or 3,500 foreign tourists to come to Bintan in a week.

Ansar hopes that the Singapore government will evaluate the restrictions on foreign tourists and treat the number of foreign tourists who come to Bintan and return to Singapore the same.

"This means that if 500 people come to Bintan, 500 people will also return to Singapore. Now, only 350 people can return home", said Ansar.

Meanwhile, GM Bintan Resort Cakrawala (BRC), Wahab, ensured that the supervision of the health protocol for foreign tourists in Lagoi had been regulated in such a way, by the Circular Letter of the National COVID-19 Task Force and the Decree of the Governor of Riau Islands regarding the Implementation of Health Protocols and the Travel Bubble Zone.

According to him, foreign tourists are allowed to carry out all tourism activities while in Lagoi, such as playing golf and water sports.

"We hope it's safe, especially since this is only the early stages. If it goes well, the Bintan-Singapore foreign tourist ferry trip will be added", said Wahab.

Meanwhile, Assistant Deputy for Regional Competitiveness Strengthening of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Kartika Listriana, said that her party together with the management and local government will conduct regular evaluations of the implementation of the travel bubble in Batam-Bintan with Singapore.

She appreciated the readiness of the Lagoi Management in carrying out the travel bubble policy because the manager has even prepared PCR inspection facilities, as well as isolation rooms in anticipation of any travelers who are declared exposed to COVID-19.

"Everything is ready by government regulations", she said.

According to her, the implementation of the travel bubble in Bintan is a very good start, considering that the planning has been carried out in the last two years.

She hopes that in the future the travel bubble policy can re-ignite the tourism sector, which has long been hit by the pandemic.

"We are optimistic that this will certainly encourage the Riau Islands' economic recovery, especially Bintan", said Kartika.

New Singaporean tourists at the international port of BBT Lagoi immediately follow a series of arrival health protocols, starting from checking body temperature, PeduliLindungi application, PCR test, and after that, they go straight to the resort using a special bus.