Tag Archives: VFS Global

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.

 

Royal Thai govt renews VFS Global contract to handle visa applications in India

Maintaining its trusted partnership with the Thai government, VFS Global, the outsourcing and technology services provider for governments and diplomatic missions globally, has once again secured the contract to handle visa applications for Thailand from India.

The company will cater to travellers from India across visa categories through visa application centres and drop off centres as per the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Embassy in Delhi and Royal Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. VFS Global has been working with the Government of Thailand for nearly two decades and has handled over 2.1 million Thai visa applications since 2005.

Applications are accepted at VFS Global visa application centres in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune from Monday to Friday. More details are available on the website. VFS Global also offers drop box services to Tier-II cities such as Agra, Amritsar, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur and Siliguri.

“The renewal of the Thai visa contract highlights VFS Global’s business excellence, dedication to enhancing customer experience, and the strong trust from the 69 governments we partner with, including Thailand,” said Yummi Talwar, COO – South Asia, VFS Global.

Bintan Resorts joins forces with VFS Global for destination promotion

In a strategic move to tap into the expansive Indian market, Bintan Resorts has partnered with VFS Global, world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, to promote Bintan Resorts in Bintan Island of the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia as a premier travel destination. This partnership was officially cemented with the signing of an agreement on 29 August 2024 at the Grand Lagoi Hotel in Bintan Resorts.

The collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and appeal of Bintan Island, positioning it as a top choice for Indian travellers and welcoming them to enjoy the island’s plethora of offerings. Leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network across India in all major and secondary cities, along with its strong connections with businesses, media, and corporate entities, the partnership is expected to boost tourism from India to Bintan Island.

Bintan Resorts is committed to showcasing the island’s rich tourism potential, from its captivating culinary offerings to its high-quality services and warm hospitality focused on comfort. These elements are anticipated to make Bintan Island an irresistible destination for Indian travellers.

“We are excited to partner with VFS Global to introduce the beauty and charm of Bintan Island to the Indian market,” said Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts. “This collaboration will elevate Bintan’s status as a must-visit destination for Indian tourists. We eagerly look forward to welcoming more visitors from India and offering them the exceptional experiences that only Bintan Island can provide,” added Wahab.

The partnership will launch a targeted marketing campaign in major Indian cities, aiming to position Bintan as a prime travel destination, alongside Singapore. It will feature an innovative dual-destination strategy, with a captivating tagline highlighting Bintan’s unique attractions from family-friendly vacations and adrenaline-pumping adventures to enticing culinary experiences and special events such as weddings, MICE and more.

Promotions will focus on the digital and social media platforms, in collaboration with influencers, B2B sales, and organising workshops and familiarisation trips for influencers and content creators. A major initiative will be working closely with the travel trade partner friends, that both partners have cultivated over the years, to promote the island to their clients. The partnership seeks to harness VFS Global’s vast media network and connections to significantly boost Bintan Island’s visibility and attract a substantial influx of tourists.

“Together, we will work towards increasing the Indian tourist arrivals to Bintan Island and enriching their overall travel experience. Of immediate priority for both partners is to re-introduce Bintan island’s offerings to the Indian audiences and socialise them to the sheer convenience of hopping on to the island from the shores of Singapore to enjoy themselves as families, small and big groups,” said G B Srithar, Head of Tourism Services at VFS Global. He noted that the Indian market presents a promising opportunity for Bintan’s tourism sector, as India was Singapore’s third-largest source of visitors in 2019, with approximately 1.4 million travellers. Singapore concluded 2023 with 1.08 million Indian visitors. Bintan Island plans to entice and welcome a significant share of travellers to Singapore.

“By positioning Bintan Resorts as a complementary destination to Singapore, easily accessible by a hassle-free 60-minute ferry ride from the city-state, we aim to attract a double-digit share of these Indian visitors,” said Wahab. The dual-destination approach is expected to capitalise on the appeal of two exceptional travel experiences.

The signing event was attended by various stakeholders such as Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia; Guntur Sakti, Head of Tourism Office of the Riau Islands Province; Robby Kurniawan, Head of Bintan Regency; Arief Sumarsono, Head of Tourism Office Bintan Regency, Bintan Resorts Council, along with other key figures from the travel and tourism industries and the media.

Visa applications in India surpass pre-pandemic volumes in H1 2024

Robust pent-up demand for outbound travel from India for the first time went past the pre-pandemic levels in H1 2024 (January to June 2024). According to VFS Global that manages visa applications for 52 countries from India, the volumes recorded in H1 2024, surpassed the same period in 2019 by 2%. It also witnessed a steady 11% YoY growth in application counts over H1 2023.

“Outbound travel demand from India has remained robust and it was a matter of time that pre-pandemic levels were restored. India has been witnessing an extended travel season over the past two years and we are confident the momentum would last till the year-end. We remain committed to providing exceptional customer service through technology-led, seamless, highly secure and reliable solutions,” said Yummi Talwar, COO – (South Asia), VFS Global.

Talwar emphasised the importance of applicants being cautious of counterfeit websites and fraudulent social media pages that pose as VFS Global and offer appointments in exchange of money.

“Appointments are free and are exclusively available through www.vfsglobal.com on a first-come, first-served basis. As a responsible service provider, we persist in raising awareness about this concern and encourage applicants to arrange their travel plans well in advance.”

Some of the popular destinations comprise Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, USA and UK. (in alphabetical order).

The preference for tailored services persisted as a predominant trend in visa application behaviours. VFS Global noted a significant increase in the demand for personalised services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD). This premium optional service allows applicants to manage the full visa application submission from their homes or any preferred location, including biometric enrolment. VAYD bookings in H1 2024 in India registered around five-fold increase when compared to 2019 as a well YoY increase of 16% over H1 2023. VFS Global provides its VAYD services for 16 nations within India, including Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the UK.

“The preference for personalized services like VAYD has increased among travelers post-pandemic due to health reasons. These offerings improve the visa application process by providing additional comfort and convenience. We anticipate a growing demand for these premium services that emphasize secure travel within this year as well,” added Talwar.

VFS Global is the trusted partner to 52 sovereign governments in India and provides visa services on their behalf through a network of over 560 visa application centres spread across 19 cities. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa.

 

VFS Global to service Algeria visa in India, Nepal & Sri Lanka

VFS Global has been appointed to manage submission and collection for Algeria visa applications in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Commencing on September 1, 2024, VFS Global will begin accepting visa applications for Algeria across categories at its application centers located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kathmandu, and Colombo.

This development is set to significantly simplify the process for applicants in India who, until now, only had the option to submit applications through the Algeria Embassy in Delhi.

Applicants benefit from a variety of submission centres and the convenience of walk-in service to turn in their applications, cover the visa costs, and receive their visa within 6 business days. The visa types available encompass Business Visa, Tourist Visa, Work Visa, Temporary Work Visa, Family Visa, Cultural Visa, and accommodating a wide range of travel purposes.

“It’s both a pleasure and a privilege to earn the confidence and acknowledgment from the Embassy of the People s Democratic Republic of Algeria, with this mandate. Algeria is a promising nation, and we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled customer service by implementing cutting-edge, seamless, secure, and dependable solutions,” stated Yummi Talwar, COO, South Asia, VFS Global.

With this award VFS Global caters to 69 client government globally and 54 in India. Approximately 3,000 India travellers visit Algeria every year.

India opens visa application centres in Seattle & Bellevue

The Indian Consulate in Seattle has inaugurated its new visa application centre which will offer full visa and passport services to applicants preparing for travel to India from the greater Seattle area.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, who attended the event alongside Port Commissioner Sam Cho and State Rep. Vandana Slatter, presented the first Indian passport and visa to applicants, marking a special moment for the community.
Mayor Harrell expressed admiration for the Indian community in Seattle, praising their contributions to enriching the bonds between India and the USA.

Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India in Seattle, said, “The opening of the Indian consulate in Seattle reflects the Indian government’s commitment to deepening relations with the Pacific Northwest states.

In addition to the Seattle location, a drop-off facility is now open at Bellevue, making it easier for Eastsiders to access these services.

These centres will streamline the visa process for Indian nationals and provide support for other consular needs.
Both the Seattle and Bellevue Indian Visa Application Centres (IVAC) are operated by VFS Global — the outsourced visa services partner of the Ministry of External Affairs.

These new centres in Seattle and Bellevue are designed to provide a more convenient experience for all consular applicants preparing for travel to India, Gupta said.

These services will benefit the large Indian diaspora community in the consular jurisdiction, covering nine Pacific Northwestern states — Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. (Source: PTI)