In a strategic move to tap into the vast Indian market, Bintan Resorts has joined forces with VFS Global, a prominent global specialist in outsourcing and technology services. The objective? To promote Bintan Resorts, located on Bintan Island within Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province, as a prime travel destination. This partnership was formally established through the signing of an agreement on August 29, 2024, at the Grand Lagoi Hotel in Bintan Resorts.
This collaboration aims to significantly amplify the visibility and appeal of Bintan Island, positioning it as a top choice for Indian travelers. By leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network across India, encompassing major and secondary cities, as well as its strong connections with businesses, media, and corporate entities, the partnership is anticipated to substantially boost tourism from India to Bintan Island.
Bintan Resorts is committed to showcasing the island’s abundant tourism potential, encompassing its delightful culinary offerings, high-quality services, and warm hospitality focused on comfort. These factors are expected to make Bintan Island an irresistible destination for Indian travelers.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with VFS Global to introduce the beauty and charm of Bintan Island to the Indian market,” stated Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts. “This collaboration will elevate Bintan’s status as a must-visit destination for Indian tourists. We eagerly look forward to welcoming more visitors from India and offering them the exceptional experiences that only Bintan Island can provide,” added Wahab.
The partnership will launch a targeted marketing campaign across major Indian cities, striving to establish Bintan as a premier travel destination alongside Singapore. This campaign will introduce an innovative dual-destination strategy, featuring a captivating tagline that highlights Bintan’s unique offerings, ranging from family-friendly vacations and thrilling adventures to delectable culinary experiences and special events, including weddings, MICE, and more.
Promotional efforts will focus on digital and social media platforms, collaborating with influencers, B2B sales initiatives, and organizing workshops and familiarization trips for influencers and content creators. A key aspect of the campaign will involve close collaboration with travel trade partners, with whom both Bintan Resorts and VFS Global have cultivated strong relationships over the years, to promote the island to their clientele.
The partnership aims to leverage VFS Global’s extensive media network and connections to significantly enhance Bintan Island’s visibility and attract a substantial influx of tourists. “Together, we will work towards increasing the Indian tourist arrivals to Bintan Island and enriching their overall travel experience. Of immediate priority for both partners is to re-introduce Bintan island’s offerings to the Indian audiences and socialise them to the sheer convenience of hopping on to the island from the shores of Singapore to enjoy themselves as families, small and big groups,” said G B Srithar, Head of Tourism Services at VFS Global.
He noted that the Indian market presents a promising opportunity for Bintan’s tourism sector, as India was Singapore’s third-largest source of visitors in 2019, with approximately 1.4 million travelers. Singapore concluded 2023 with 1.08 million Indian visitors. Bintan Island plans to entice and welcome a significant share of travelers to Singapore. “By positioning Bintan Resorts as a complementary destination to Singapore, easily accessible by a hassle-free 60-minute ferry ride from the city-state, we aim to attract a double-digit share of these Indian visitors,” said Wahab.
The dual-destination approach is expected to capitalize on the appeal of two exceptional travel experiences. The signing event witnessed the attendance of several key stakeholders, including Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia; Guntur Sakti, Head of the Tourism Office for the Riau Islands Province; Robby Kurniawan, Head of Bintan Regency; and Arief Sumarsono, Head of the Tourism Office for Bintan Regency. Representatives from the Bintan Resorts Council, as well as prominent figures from the travel and tourism sectors and media, were also present.
