Political tension in Thailand lately is a blessing in disguise for Riau Island’s tourism industry, as it could shift attention to the province’s leading tourist destination, Bintan Island, say businessmen.
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Chin Chow Yoon, vice president of PT Bintan Resort Cakrawala, which manages the Lagoi international tourism complex, told The Jakarta Post the political tension had raised concerns among foreign tourists wanting to visit Thailand, one of Asia’s most popular tourism destinations.
“Foreign tourists are now afraid of going to Thailand,” Chin said.
“This situation is good for Bintan since we offer similar tourist attactions to Thailand. This way Bintan can serve as an alternative for tourists who no longer want to visit Thailand.”
However, Chin realized not all tourists would shift their attention to Bintan, famed for its white sandy beaches. “But our proximity with Thailand will be a main point of consideration,” he said.
Chin claimed his company had received confirmation on declining foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand since its political crisis.
Bintan’s proximity with Thailand, he added, had led it to become the main alternative after Bali and Malaysia.
“Bintan only has about 10 years of experience in international tourism management, less than Bali. But we’ve learned to do the best in attacting tourists to Bintan,” Chin said.
He believed more tourists visit the 23,000-hectare area, which hosts seven resorts of international standards.
In 2006, 30,000 tourists visited Bintan. The figure rose to 340,000 in 2007, 370,000 in 2008 and 400,000 last year. More than 80 percent of them came from China and Europe.
“This area exist based on cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore. And up to now, Singapore continues to provide support in promotion and market Bintan for investors and tourists to visit,” Chin said.
Chairman of the Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies in Batam, Kamsa Bakri, said security was a main factor in luring tourists.
Once security became an issue, tourists would automatically be reluctant to come, he added.
“Recently, the security situation in Indonesia, especially in Riau Island, has been. This is one of our selling points to tourists. Besides, we have better weather,” Kamsa said.
He said it was up to the government to use the opportunity to benefit Indonesia.
“The situation gives us a chance to be in the front line. But in many cases, the government’s policies are not supportive, like the single-tariff visa-on-arrival policy. That’s a challenge.”
Visitors applying for visas on arrival have to pay US$25, which allows them to stay for 30 days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension for another $25.
This new policy went into effect Jan. 26 and applies to visitors from 64 designated countries (fadli)
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Chin Chow Yoon, vice president of PT Bintan Resort Cakrawala, which manages the Lagoi international tourism complex, told The Jakarta Post the political tension had raised concerns among foreign tourists wanting to visit Thailand, one of Asia’s most popular tourism destinations.
“Foreign tourists are now afraid of going to Thailand,” Chin said.
“This situation is good for Bintan since we offer similar tourist attactions to Thailand. This way Bintan can serve as an alternative for tourists who no longer want to visit Thailand.”
However, Chin realized not all tourists would shift their attention to Bintan, famed for its white sandy beaches. “But our proximity with Thailand will be a main point of consideration,” he said.
Chin claimed his company had received confirmation on declining foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand since its political crisis.
Bintan’s proximity with Thailand, he added, had led it to become the main alternative after Bali and Malaysia.
“Bintan only has about 10 years of experience in international tourism management, less than Bali. But we’ve learned to do the best in attacting tourists to Bintan,” Chin said.
He believed more tourists visit the 23,000-hectare area, which hosts seven resorts of international standards.
In 2006, 30,000 tourists visited Bintan. The figure rose to 340,000 in 2007, 370,000 in 2008 and 400,000 last year. More than 80 percent of them came from China and Europe.
“This area exist based on cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore. And up to now, Singapore continues to provide support in promotion and market Bintan for investors and tourists to visit,” Chin said.
Chairman of the Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies in Batam, Kamsa Bakri, said security was a main factor in luring tourists.
Once security became an issue, tourists would automatically be reluctant to come, he added.
“Recently, the security situation in Indonesia, especially in Riau Island, has been. This is one of our selling points to tourists. Besides, we have better weather,” Kamsa said.
He said it was up to the government to use the opportunity to benefit Indonesia.
“The situation gives us a chance to be in the front line. But in many cases, the government’s policies are not supportive, like the single-tariff visa-on-arrival policy. That’s a challenge.”
Visitors applying for visas on arrival have to pay US$25, which allows them to stay for 30 days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension for another $25.
This new policy went into effect Jan. 26 and applies to visitors from 64 designated countries (fadli)
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
