Bintan Hotel Report Talks Airlift

The Bintan storyline can best be summed up that limited accessibility remains a glass ceiling for island’s tourism demand growth. Hoteliers pin ambition on the new upcoming international airport, but the question remains will carriers embrace the new facility when finally opened.    

Bintan is located in the northwest of Indonesia within close proximity to Singapore. Currently, there are six seaports and one airport (Raja Haji Fisabilillah airport) on the island. Ferries are the primary transportation mode as the airport only serves domestic flights. Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal draws the highest number of arrivals, which totaled 1.06 million in 2018 (latest available data).

Over 42% of the hotel supply on the island is located inside the integrated tourism development of Bintan Resorts. It has the highest concentration of internationally branded resorts ranging from midscale to luxury tier. Singapore is the largest source market for Bintan, accounting for 36% of the total international visitors in 2018. Due to the heavy reliance on a single market, room night demand peaks during weekends and Singapore public holidays. However, occupancy drops significantly on weekdays and effectively caps trading numbers.

There is a much-delayed new airport located inside Bintan Resorts, that when finally operational, will alter the island’s tourism ambition. Targeting international flights, the project features a 3,000-meter long runway with capacity of one million passengers annually. The airport could be a positive disruptor, the increased connectivity will draw demand from a wider market.

To download and read the Bintan Hotel Market Update CLICK