Heaptalk, Jakarta — Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa began activities on the first day of 2025 by welcoming international tourists at Bandar Bentan Telani Port, Lagoi, Bintan, Riau Islands.
“I believe that from the beginning of this year until the end of 2025, we can achieve our target for international tourist arrivals,” said Ni Luh Puspa on Wednesday (01/01). The welcoming of the first international tourists who set foot in Indonesia through the Riau Islands in 2025 holds symbolic significance and hope for improved performance in the tourism sector throughout 2025.
The Riau Islands are strategically positioned to support international tourist visits to Indonesia. Its location, bordered by the sea with Singapore and Malaysia, makes this archipelagic province one of the top three most significant entry points for international tourists to Indonesia after Bali and Jakarta.
Furthermore, the islands also offer various tourist destinations, including nature-based, cultural, artificial, and sports tourism. She added, “This is a tremendous potential for the Riau Islands to continue increasing international tourist arrivals.”
She further encouraged the tourism industry to enhance innovation and creativity by presenting new destinations prioritizing quality and sustainable tourism. “Improved attractions are expected to increase tourists’ length of stay and spending,” said Ni Luh.
For international tourist visits, the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that by October 2024, the number of international tourists nationally had reached 11.6 million visits and is expected to continue increasing until December 2024. This number is close to the realization in 2023 of 11.7 million trips. She said, “Currently (2025), the Ministry of Tourism targets around 14 million to 16 million international tourists. I hope many come to the Riau Islands.”
Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad appreciated the presence of Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa in welcoming the first international tourists of 2025. This demonstrates the Ministry of Tourism‘s strong commitment to supporting tourism development in the Riau Islands.
BPS data shows that the tourism sector in the Riau Islands has improved post-Covid-19 pandemic. By October 2024, the number of international tourist visits to the Riau Islands had reached 1.3 million. “And there are still 2 months of calculations left. Adding November and December 2024, our tourist visits could reach 1.6 million to 1.7 million,” said Ansar.
Before the pandemic, international tourist visits to the Riau Islands reached 2.97 million in 2019. This was partly supported by immigration facilities set by the government, such as visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies.
These policies are expected to continue easing international tourist visits to the Riau Islands. Previously, a visa-free visit policy was explicitly issued for Singapore permanent residents. “This visa relaxation policy has significantly impacted the increase in international tourists to the Riau Islands, with 2,935 tourists by the end of November 2024,” he concluded.
