To encourage more Singaporeans to visit the
islands of Batam and Bintan, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has
worked with Indonesian tour agents to offer tour packages at more
affordable prices.
Those travelling from Singapore to Batam, for example,
will get discounted Batam Fast ferry tickets at $20 instead of $48
if they sign up for one of 250 tour packages.
These packages, which include hotel promotions as well
as spa and golfing promotions, will last till the end of the
year.
Indonesia's Tourism Ministry said it was also keen to
attract Singaporean tourists to visit the islands on weekdays.
There will be a further discount on tour packages
booked during these non-peak periods.
Ms Rizki Handayani, director of promotion for
South-east Asia at the Indonesian Tourism Ministry, said the
government had been working with ferry operators and tour agencies
to create these special packages.
"As added value, tourists can also enjoy coffee and
traditional snacks on the ferry," she said.
In August, The Jakarta Post quoted Indonesian Tourism
Minister Arief Yahya as saying they were targeting an additional
100,000 tourists to Bintan and Batam islands from Singapore and
Malaysia with this programme.
Conversely, Singapore has been looking to grow its
passenger traffic from Batam. In May, Changi Airport started
running shuttle buses to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to woo
Indonesian travellers to use the airport as a gateway for
international travel. - THE STRAITS
TIMES