Bobby C Siagian
Assistant to Deputy Minister for Asian Economic Cooperation
Devy L.A. Panggabean
Senior Policy Analyst
Ahsan S. Nasution
Senior Policy Analyst
11 Nov 2022
On January 24, 2022, a travel bubble between Batam, Bintan, and Singapore was inaugurated as an effort to revive the Indonesian tourism sector and encourage national economic recovery which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. To optimize the implementation, efforts are needed to address several challenges.
Executive Summary:
On January 24, 2022, a travel bubble was inaugurated between Batam, Bintan, and Singapore to revive the Indonesian tourism sector and encourage national economic recovery which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. To optimize the implementation of the intended travel bubble, efforts are needed to address several challenges, including (i) quarantine regulations for travelers from Singapore; (ii) non-uniform PCR test costs; (iii) PCR test capacity at Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal in Lagoi, Bintan and Nongsapura Ferry Terminal in Nongsa, Batam; (iv) opening sea crossing access between Indonesia and Singapore; (v) opening cruise ship access between Indonesia and Singapore; and (vi) maintaining the safety of travelers and the public in the travel bubble area from the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Keywords: travel bubble, tourism, economic recovery, bilateral cooperation, Batam, Bintan, Singapore