Tag Archives: overtourism

Bintan Resorts: A Serene Getaway for Indian Tourists Amid Overtourism Challenges

VFS Global has partnered with Bintan Resorts to boost its presence in the Indian market. Located less than an hour by ferry from Singapore, the Indonesian island of Bintan has the potential to become a sought-after destination for Indian travellers seeking for a peaceful escape from overtourism.

Prasenjit Chakraborty/Indonesia

Incredible, Impressive, and Inconceivable are three words that aptly describe Bintan Resorts. Although situated in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia, it is just a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore. This proximity makes Singapore a favoured getaway for Indian travellers wishing to visit Bintan Resorts. To attract more tourists from the Indian market, VFS Global recently entered into a partnership with Bintan Resorts, Indonesia. To enter Bintan, travellers need a multiple-entry visa for Singapore. Once they arrive in Bintan, they will receive a visa on arrival.
Bintan Resorts is a stunning destination with pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and lush landscapes. It features luxurious accommodations and a variety of activities, including water sports and cultural experiences. This blend of natural beauty, exclusivity, and convenience all set to make it a popular destination for Indian travellers in the months to come.

The Bintan Resorts occupies an exclusive space within the island, offering a modern escape set within nature, combining serenity and calmness with a unique advantage- zero traffic. In contrast to the traffic congestion common in Indian cities, Bintan Resorts provides a hassle-free experience, allowing travel from one point to another in just 15-20 minutes. Low or no traffic within the resorts facilities is due to its separation from Tanjung Pinang, the capital of the Riau Islands, where most locals live. Only those working in the Bintan Resorts reside in designated areas, ensuring travellers feel freedom of movement and vast spaces. This aspect is especially appealing when choosing a destination in the post-COVID era. To be candid, the destination is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with themselves. Its tranquil atmosphere is also ideal for bonding with family, friends, and colleagues.

In a competitive market where, other destinations are aggressively promoting their offerings, VFS Global and Bintan Resorts need a strategic and tailored approach to effectively promote Bintan. To achieve this, it’s crucial to build substantial market awareness among travel partners. Going forward, they have to ensure that travel agents and trade partners are well-informed about what Bintan offers to Indian travellers.
In recent years, worldwide many known destinations have suffered from their own success. With the surge in tourism, overcrowding has become a significant problem, diminishing the charm of once-pristine locations. However, adventurous travellers need not worry. There are many lesser-known destinations are waiting to be explored, offering unique experiences far from the tourist crowds. And Bintan Resorts is certainly one of them!

Visitors to Bintan Resorts will discover a unique experience that few destinations can match. The key distinguishing feature? The unparalleled peace and tranquillity that make this destination truly special.

Target Audiences and Cities in India

VFS Global and Bintan Resorts will focus on the family, young travellers, MICE and wedding segments within the Indian market. From a MICE destination perspective, corporates could pair Bintan with Singapore in their offerings, allocating perhaps two nights to each destination.

It is important to note that Bintan Resorts is being reintroduced to the Indian market. The Tourism Service Unit within the VFS Global will promote the destination across India, not just in metro cities. Singapore has direct connections from above 15 cities in India, and the audiences from these gateways will naturally be of priority to engage with.

“Bintan Resorts offer the Indian audiences a diverse range of experiences in a tranquil, bountiful nature and beautiful setting. From beaches to forests, idyllic resorts to a delightful range of food and relaxation activities, the Indian audiences will enjoy their visit and re-visits,” stated GB Srithar, Head of Tourism Services at VFS Global. “We will work closely with our travel trade partners in India to bring the island’s offerings to their clients. Our strategy will include targeting travellers from secondary cities.” He also mentioned that, based on his 13+ years of experience with the Indian travel and tourism market, he has observed a growing demand for outbound travel from secondary cities with a good propensity to spend on experiences.

In 2023, 1.08 million Indians visited Singapore. Moving forward, VFS Global and Bintan Resorts aim to significantly increase the number of tourists travelling to the island. To realise this vision, it is crucial to share relevant information with the travel trade, embark on meaningful consumer outreach efforts and marketing collaborations. “In the coming years, we are optimistic about achieving a double-digit percentage of visitors to Singapore spending a few nights in Bintan Resorts,” Srithar stated emphatically.

Bintan Island Infrastructure Development

Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, Bintan Resorts, outlined their immediate plans for the Indian market, which include working closely with VFS Global to organise roadshows in key cities across the country and launch trade engagement efforts. “We will soon invite Indian travel agents for a familiarization trip,” he announced.

Wahab noted that Bintan alone might not be an attractive destination for Indian tourists, so they have paired it with Singapore. “Bintan and Singapore are already recognised as a twin destination holiday,” he explained. He also mentioned that their focus will be on both family vacations and the MICE segment. “We’ve already hosted several meetings for pharmaceutical companies from Ahmedabad and aim to continue this,” Wahab added.

Regarding infrastructure, Wahab stated that it is not an issue since Bintan Resorts is managed by a single company. Currently, the destination has 2,800 hotel rooms, with an additional 1,200 rooms expected by the end of the year. “This will bring the total to 4,000 rooms by next year, which is sufficient for Bintan Resorts to establish itself as an international destination,” Wahab pointed out.

Additionally, construction has begun on an international airport, “The airport is set to become operational by 2027,” Wahab revealed.
It is believed that the collaboration between VFS Global and Bintan Resorts will yield positive results. In the past, the Bintan Resorts team participated in Singapore Tourism Board’s tourism roadshows and will continue working closely with the Board. Wahab mentioned that VFS Global not only has extensive reach and expertise in India, but its tourism division is now led by Srithar, a seasoned professional who has spent over a decade promoting Singapore in India. “GB Srithar’s knowledge and expertise regarding the Indian market will be invaluable in achieving positive visitor-ship growth results,” said an expert, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Another significant development that could attract more tourists to Bintan Resorts is the issue of overtourism in some popular destinations frequented by the Indian travellers. Some destinations aim to manage the growing number of tourists and safeguard their natural beauty, cultural heritage and residents’ need for their own space, which are currently under threat from increased tourism.

If everything goes as planned, Bintan Resorts is poised to become one of the most popular destinations for Indian tourists in Southeast Asia in the coming years. The strategic marketing initiatives and partnerships aimed at raising awareness will further enhance its appeal. As more Indians seek new and exciting travel experiences, Bintan Resorts is ready to welcome them with their distinctive Indonesian hospitality and unique island charms.

 

Japan opens online booking system for Mount Fuji trail

An online booking system for Mount Fuji’s most popular trail was announced on Monday by Japanese authorities trying to fight overtourism on the active volcano.

Japan’s highest mountain has become increasingly crowded during the summer hiking season, raising concerns over safety and environmental damage. To ease congestion on the Yoshida Trail, the preferred route for most hikers, the Yamanashi region is planning to cap daily entries to 4,000 people, who will be charged USD 13 each.

But to address some climbers’ fears that they will be rejected once the daily limit is reached, this year online bookings will also be introduced for the first time. The system will guarantee people entry through a new gate, “allowing them to plan ahead,” Katsuhiro Iwama, an official from the Yamanashi regional government, told AFP.

Online bookings open on May 20 for the July-September hiking season. Each day at least 1,000 places will be kept free for on-the-spot entry. Mount Fuji is covered in snow most of the year, but in the summer more than 220,000 visitors trudge up its steep, rocky slopes, many climbing through the night to see the sunrise. Some attempt to reach the 3,776-metre (12,388-foot) summit without breaks and become sick or injured as a result.

Tourists are also flocking to surrounding areas to snap the majestic mountain, which is seen as a symbol of Japan but whose popularity is proving a burden to locals. In one photo spot where Mount Fuji emerges behind a Lawson convenience store, exasperated officials are constructing a huge black mesh barrier to block the view. People who work and live nearby had complained about mostly foreign tourists trespassing, littering and dangerously crossing the street to get the perfect Instagram post.

Record numbers of overseas tourists are travelling to Japan, where in March monthly visitors exceeded three million for the first time. Residents of Kyoto’s geisha district have also banned tourists from private alleys after complaints that some were rudely demanding selfies with the kimono-clad entertainers.

Anti-tourism movement gains momentum in Spain amid overcrowding

As Spain grapples with a surge in tourism, particularly in regions like the Canaries, locals are rallying against uncontrolled development and overcrowding, as per AFP.

Anti-tourism movements are multiplying in Spain, the world’s second most visited country, prompting authorities to try and reconcile the interests of locals and the lucrative sector. Rallying under the slogan “The Canaries have a limit”, a collective of groups on the archipelago off northwest Africa are planning a slew of protests on Saturday. The Canaries are known for volcanic landscapes and year-round sunshine and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

From the Balearic Islands to the Canary Islands, Barcelona and Malaga, anti-mass tourism movements are multiplying in Spain. On the Canary Island Tenerife, activists started hunger strike to demand a moratorium on mass tourism.

Groups there want authorities to halt work on two new hotels on Tenerife, the largest and most developed of the archipelago’s seven islands. They are also demanding that locals be given a greater say in the face of what they consider uncontrolled development which is harming the environment. Several members of the collective “Canaries Sold Out” also began an “indefinite” hunger strike last week to put pressure of the authorities.

“Our islands are a treasure that must be defended,” the collective said. The Canaries received 16 million visitors last year, more than seven times its population of around 2.2 million people. This is an unsustainable level given the archipelago’s limited resources, Victor Martin, a spokesman for the collective told a recent press briefing, calling it a “suicidal growth model”.

Similar anti-tourism movements have sprung up elsewhere in Spain and are active on social media. In the southern port of Malaga on the Costa del Sol, a centre of Spain’s decades-old “soy y playa” or “sun and beach” tourism model, stickers with unfriendly slogans such as “This used to be my home” and “Go home” have appeared on the walls and doors of tourist accommodations.

In Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, activists have put up fake signs at the entrances to some popular beaches warning in English of the risk of “falling rocks” or “dangerous jellyfish”. Locals complain a rise in accommodation listings on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb have worsened a housing shortage and caused rents to soar, especially in town centres.

The influx of tourists also adds to noise and environmental pollution and taxes resources such as water, they add. In the northeastern region of Catalonia, which declared a drought emergency in February, anger is growing over the pressure exerted on depleted water reserves by hotels on the Costa Brava.

“Our concern is to continue to grow tourism in Spain so that it is sustainable and does not generate social revulsion,” the vice president of tourism association Exceltur, Jose Luis Zoreda, told a news conference on Tuesday when asked about the protest movements. The group said it expects Spain’s tourism sector will post record revenues of EUR 202.65 billion this year.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the global travel industry to its knees in 2020, protest movements against overtourism had already emerged in Spain, especially in Barcelona. Now that pandemic travel restrictions have been lifted, tourism is back with a vengeance — Spain welcomed a record 85.1 million foreign visitors last year. (Source: AFP)

Venice tackles overtourism by becoming the first city to require Day Tickets for tourists

  1. With 55,000 residents struggling to maintain normalcy amidst 120,000 tourists, Venice confronts the consequences of its own draw.

Venice takes a step, becoming the first to require day tickets for peak-season tourists, tackling overtourism.

Venice introduces EUR 5 day tickets for tourists visiting the old city center during peak season (April 25-July 14).

The day ticket system only applies to day trippers, exempting young visitors and offering residents and their families unhindered access.

Despite years of debate and approval, concerns linger about unlimited tourist numbers under the new system.

‘Limitation of supply & increase in demand will make Ladakh a niche destination’

Amit Kothari, Owner, Goamit Holidays talks to Disha Shah Ghosh about protecting Ladakh from overtourism at a time when increased demand is leading to unregulated infrastructure development.

Q. Over the years, Ladakh has emerged as a promising destination, especially for group tours. Tell us how do you design a tour for a destination with such different topography compared to other destinations in North India?
A. Ladakh being high altitude destination, tour planning would need some tactical know-how before setting up the final programme for the client. Hence, we give the client an entire brief about the destination. We always look at the experience of the group that is in-coming to Ladakh, for us to offer them first a brief itinerary. Various elements such as age factor of each client, health condition and the willingness to take on the adrenaline adventures in Ladakh are to be taken into consideration.

Q. Tell us about your adventure tourism offerings for Ladakh.
A. We offer cycling, hiking, trekking, bird watching, snow leopard trips, lake side camping, glamping trips, and moving caravan trip is our latest innovation. Most popular among our clients is the walking trails and river rafting expeditions.

Q. What are some of the complexities of organising a tour in Ladakh?
A. As Ladakh is rain shadow region over the years, with sudden climate changes, the snow fall in winter has decreased which reduces the water supply in the summer season. In summer time, there are unexpected rain showers which create dampness on road and it creates difficulty to drive on such terrains, making the trip vulnerable to unexpected hindrances.

Ladakh is facing an influx of huge number of tourists leading to unorganised infrastructure development. With the number of flights increasing and the road connectivity getting better, the flow of tourist has increased drastically due to which more accommodation options are required across various categories. There is acute need for more number of hotels, camps and retreats.

Q. What measures are needed to protect its natural habitat?
A. Since there is overconsumption of natural resources due huge infrastructure set-ups in the eco fragile environment, various environmental bodies need to be activated and conserve the region from waste pollution and climate pollution. No plastic should be used in the entire Ladakh region, and a strict fine policy should be enforced.

Q. According to you, how can one save Ladakh from losing its niche as a destination instead of becoming a run of the mill choice?
A. The Ladakh administration needs to increase the entry fee, which will curtail the flow of tourists. New construction should not be permitted and this will reduce the number of hotels and in short reduce the in-flow of tourist travelling per year. Limitation of supply and increase in demand will always create hype, and make the destination a niche.