short visit visa is very important for tourists because we cannot generalize tourists who come to stay for an average of 3.5 to 4 days. Bintan, Riau islands (ANTARA) - Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad has continued to urge the central government to remove the visa on arrival (VoA) requirements to boost foreign tourist visits to the region."After the pandemic, if Riau Islands wants to return to being the top tourism destination in Indonesia, then the (elimination of the) VoA policy must be decided immediately," he said after opening the Bintan Triathlon event in Lagoi Bay here on Saturday. He informed that his administration has continued to urge the central government, through the relevant ministries, to do away with the VoA policy. However, if that is not possible, a short visit visa at a lower cost can be made an option to increase the interest of foreign tourists in visiting the Riau Islands. "Especially for a short event like the Bintan Triathlon, a short visit visa is very important for tourists because we cannot generalize tourists who come to stay for an average of 3.5 to 4 days," the governor explained. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryopratomo, said that the fact that Bintan was the first destination to open its doors for tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic should not be forgotten.
Source: Antara News Agency