VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The economy in Riau Islands Province (Riau Islands) has increased thanks to the positive movement of foreign tourists (tourists) who visit the province directly adjacent to Singapore.
The Ministry of Tourism's Deputy Marketing Development I, Rizki Handayani, in Jakarta, Monday (03/06/2019) said the economic prospects of the Riau Islands were comparable to the positive visits of foreign tourists.

"Based on Bank Indonesia Riau Islands report, Riau economic growth in the second quarter of 2019 was reported to be very positive," he said.

Exactly tourism in Riau Islands grows between 4.9 percent to 5.3 percent year on year (yoy). The inflation movement is estimated to be at the rate of 3.5 percent to 1 percent (yoy). The price stability remains in the national corridor.

During January-March 2019, visiting tourists experienced an increase of up to 12.57 percent. The real number is 672,177 people. In the same period of the previous year, the movement of foreign tourists ranged from 597,107 people.

"Tourism in Riau Islands continues to grow. There are many values ​​obtained from this activity, especially the economy. The tourism industry and the wider community get good economic access there. We are optimistic that the overall movement will improve in the following month, "Rizki said.
Deputy Deputy of Regional I Marketing Development I of the Ministry of Tourism Dessy Ruhati added that the optimization of the movement of foreign tourists was seen from the 4 entrances in Riau Islands.

Tourists who enter through Batam are 69.54 percent. Or around 460,710 foreign tourists. Whereas through Bintan it reached 21.23 percent with a movement of 142,671 foreign tourists. Tourists who come through Tanjungpinang amount to 5.67 percent or 38,104 foreign tourists, then 4.57 percent (30,692) enter from Karimun.

"The movement of foreign tourists has a positive impact. Its presence also drives the economy in Riau Islands. They make transactions to buy culinary, various souvenirs, as well as others. There are many economic benefits enjoyed by the Riau Islands people, "said Dessy Ruhati.

The surge in movement of foreign tourists in Riau Islands is dominated by Singaporean tourists. During the first quarter of 2019, Singaporean tourist arrivals reached 310,367 people. Malaysia followed with 69,852 people and China with 68,446 people.

"Various efforts were made to keep the movement of foreign tourists positive in Riau Islands. The movement of Singapore tourists is indeed very good. However, other countries still have the same potential. For that big branding is given evenly. We believe that the movement of foreign tourists outside the top 3 of the Riau Islands will be optimal until the end of the year, "said Dessy.
Riau Islands has been considered an exotic destination for foreign tourists. Because, nature, culture and "manmade" in Riau Islands are very extraordinary. Deals from culinary tours and shopping are also tempting. With these various combinations, the hotel occupancy rate is in the range of 49-50 percent. The length of stay of foreign tourists reaches 1.92 days. (kemenpar)