SINGAPORE, 20 July 2020: Indonesia’s Riau Islands are ready to deliver a safe and new normal travel environment according to the Visit Indonesia Tourism Office (VITO) Country Manager Malaysia, Kelvin Ong, once the borders reopen to tourists from neighbouring countries.
He made the observation at a webinar organised late last week by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism Agency and Creative Economy.
It was the second international webinar on Indonesia Tourism Series for the Singapore and Malaysia markets called “Keeping Up and Ready for New Normal”.
More than 180 participants mostly travel agents and media attended the virtual seminar that focused on presentations by Abdul Wahab, Group General Manager PT. Bintan Resort Cakrawala; Andika Lim, Chairman of DPD ASITA Kepulauan Riau; and Putu Sridono, the representative of Batam Immigration Office.
As the keynote speaker, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy marketing director for ASEAN, Australia, and Oceania, Vinsensius Jemadu noted that the ministry coordinated with the Covid-19 national task force to evaluate health and security measures as far tourism was concerned.
Riau Islands, that include Bintan, Batam and Karimun, are the most visited by Singaporeans and Malaysian, are now ready to welcome and adapt to new the new normal.
Bintan Resort Cakrawala Group general manager Abdul Wahab observed that in June Bintan welcomed only 1,042 visitors although there were no Covid-19 cases and it maintains the status of a green zone.
The new normal protocol for security and hygiene are in place on the ferries and at port terminals, Covid-19 measures on safety and sanitisation are in place at all the attractions (Mangrove Tour, Safari Lagoi, plaza shopping centre and water sports), and public area (food stall, Lagoi Bay Village).
The measures are coordinated by the Bintan Resort Council, task force Covid-19 of Riau Islands Province, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia and VITO Singapore, travel agencies, event organisers, and cruise liners.
DPD ASITA Kepulauan Riau chairman Andika Lim assured travel agents ASITA had conducted several inspections of resorts, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and tourist destinations to make sure all the properties are implemented health care protocol such as body temperature testing, the wearing of masks and physical distancing.
ASITA, in its role of the country’s official tour and travel agencies association, works with member companies to ensure staff and tour guides conduct temperature testing other measures to control the spread of the virus.
Currently, Indonesia is open only to designated foreigners on government invitations to work on national projects foreigners with permanent residents who are returning to Indonesia and diplomats. The visa-free and visa on arrival concessions have been suspended. Riau Islands should reopen in September according to the latest schedule.
