International Tourist Arrivals in Riau Islands Soar 80.38% by November 2021

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that 285 international tourist visits to the Riau Islands were recorded in November 2021. This number surged by 80.38% compared to the 158 visits in October 2021.

This increase was due to a rise in the number of international tourist visits from the main entry point, Batam City, which increased by 48.10% or 234 visits, and Bintan Regency with 51 visits. Meanwhile, there were no international tourist visits recorded in Tanjungpinang City and Karimun Regency.

Compared to the same period the previous year, international tourist visits to the Riau Islands decreased by 49.20%. In November 2020, 561 international tourists visited the province. This decrease was a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the Riau Islands' tourism industry.

Cumulatively from January to November 2021, international tourist visits to the Riau Islands reached 2,559. This number decreased by 99.37% from the same period the previous year.

Singaporean tourists were the most numerous visitors to the Riau Islands from January to November 2021, with 350 visits (13.68%). This was followed by Malaysian tourists with 188 visits (7.35%), Indian tourists with 27 visits (1.06%), Australian tourists with 23 visits (0.90%), and Chinese tourists with 21 visits (0.82%).