In a strategic move to tap into the expansive Indian market, Bintan Resorts, an, integrated beach resort destination in eastern Indonesia and close to Singapore, has partnered with visa services firm VFS Global.

Bintan Resorts is an integrated beach resort destination that is host to 19 independent beach resorts, four designer golf courses, as well as an ever- expanding range of recreational facilities and attractions. 

It covers the entire northern coast of Bintan Island and is located just 60 minutes away via a catamaran ferry ride from Singapore, making it easily accessible for those looking for the perfect tropical beach getaway.

The signing ceremony was also attended by various stakeholders (Photo: India Outbound/Varsha Singh)

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Bintan Resorts and VFS Global at the Grand Lagoi Hotel in Bintan Resorts. The agreement was signed by Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, Bintan Resorts and G B Srithar, Head of Tourism Services, VFS Global.

The signing ceremony was also attended by various stakeholders such as Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Guntur Sakti, Head of Tourism Office of the Riau Islands Province, Robby Kurniawan, Head of Bintan Regency and Arief Sumarsono, Head of Tourism Office Bintan Regency, Bintan Resorts Council.

It was witnessed by select media, including India Outbound, invited on the occasion. 

Under the agreement, VFS will undertake to enhance the visibility and appeal of Bintan Resorts for Indian travellers and welcome them to enjoy the island’s plethora of offerings. VFS Global will also leverage its extensive network across India in all major and secondary cities, along with its strong connections with businesses, media and corporate entities to promote tourism from India to Bintan Resorts.

(L-R) Abdul Wahab, G B Srithar (Photo: India Outbound/Varsha Singh)

“VFS Global is looking forward to bringing Bintan Island and its offerings to the Indian audiences. We have got 19 offices across India. Singapore itself as a destination is connected by direct flight connectivity with 17 cities. Whether it is the key metro cities, all the secondary and Tier II or Tier III cities, our aim is to engage those audiences and inform them about the offerings that Bintan Resorts has, whether it is family audiences, MICE, young Indian travellers or Destination Weddings,” Srithar of VFS Global told India Outbound on the sidelines of the signing ceremony.

He added that Bintan Resorts offer a wide variety of activities for Indian visitors of different ages and with different interests.

“There are many different types of activities that are possible in Bintan Resorts, whether it is nature, trekking or exploring mangrove swamps. It will be fascinating for different types of audiences. The cuisine of Bintan Island, the warm hospitality that the Indonesian culture and people have, all of this, we believe, will resonate with the Indian audiences,’’ he added.

He emphasised the ease of access from practically anywhere in India and which could go a long way in boosting tourism from India to Bintan Island.

“You take a flight from India, you come to Singapore, you stay in Singapore, enjoy the city, and then you take a 60-minute ferry ride over to Bintan to enjoy the various offerings. And finally, our hope is to work with the travel trade fraternity very closely, engage them and through them, engage the client and convince them to come to Bintan Islands. There will be a lot of consumer marketing engagement. We are looking at PR and content creation and distribution,’’ added Srithar. 

Bintan Resorts is equally eager to attract a larger share of Indian tourists, especially looking at the potential of the market.

“With its rising middle class and a huge population of over 1 billion, India is emerging as a key market for Bintan Resorts. Another thing is that Bintan is part of a route and that was already established a long time ago. Moreover, we are leveraging the close ties between India and Singapore because there are over a million Indian visitors to Singapore each year,’’ Wahab of Bintan Resorts told India Outbound in an interview.

Wahab added that due to its proximity to Singapore, which is a key tourism and aviation hub and which attracts visitors from all over the world, Bintan Resorts has had a long and mutually-beneficial relationship with Singapore Tourism Board by twinning the two destinations.

In terms of source markets for Bintan Resorts, Wahab said that currently China is the largest market, followed by Singapore and some European countries. But he added that he had big expectations from the Indian market, especially after the collaboration with VFS Global. 

“We feel that India will definitely be among the top three source markets. The top is China, followed by Singapore and then India. So that is why I said that we have to start gearing up ourselves. We have to promote in India and working with VFS Global is significant because of their large base in India and presence in 151 other countries around the world,’’ said Wahab.