The Riau Islands Province (Kepri) eagerly anticipates the approval of a new short-term visa policy proposed by Governor Ansar Ahmad, poised to enhance the region’s attractiveness as a tourist destination.
In a recent tourism forum in Batam on August 22, 2024, Guntur, the head of Kepri’s Tourism Department, expressed optimism about the proposed visa relaxation. This policy, intended as a birthday gift for the province in September, is designed to attract more international tourists by simplifying entry requirements.
The existing visa exemption applicable to ASEAN countries has positively influenced tourism in Kepri. Guntur highlighted that despite this, Kepri’s competitiveness as a border tourism destination remains suboptimal, prompting the need for broader visa relaxations.
Photo: RRI (2024)
Governor Ansar Ahmad initiated the proposal for a seven-day short-term visa, currently under consideration. The proposed fee, as suggested by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, is USD 10 (approximately SGD 13.50), which is significantly lower than the current rate of IDR 500,000 (about SGD 42.50) for a 30-day visa.
The new visa regulation draft is awaiting President Joko Widodo’s approval. “We hope the policy can be signed by September, serving as a timely birthday gift for our province,” stated Guntur.
Despite setting an ambitious target of 3 million tourist visits in 2024, Kepri has faced setbacks due to the pandemic, with only 763,406 international visits recorded by June 2024. The province aims to capture 23-25% of Indonesia’s foreign tourist arrivals by year-end.
Read More: Indonesia’s Visa Relaxation Scheme Expected to Boost Tourist Visits to Batam
Governor Ansar has been actively engaging with various ministries, including the Ministry of Transportation and the Secretary of State, to address challenges like high transportation costs, which hinder the growth of tourism.
The potential visa relaxation in Kepri could offer new travel opportunities, making the region more accessible and appealing. This move is expected to revitalize Kepri’s tourism sector, providing a significant boost to the local economy and employment.
Kepri’s government, led by Governor Ansar Ahmad, is advocating for a relaxation of visa policies to stimulate tourism growth. The proposed changes aim to simplify entry for international tourists, particularly for short stays, aligning with Kepri’s strategic goals to enhance its position as a key destination in Southeast Asia.
