As Bintan closes 2025, the destination reflects on a year of steady recovery and evolving travel preferences. Demand continued to grow for destinations that are easy to access and rich in experiences. This shift worked strongly in Bintan’s favour, particularly among Indian travellers.
From January to November 2025, Bintan welcomed 13,000+ travellers from India, reinforcing the market’s growing importance. Connectivity via Singapore remained strong, complemented by expanded access through Malaysia, with ferry services now also operating from Johor Bahru. With travel times remaining short and planning straightforward, Bintan continued to appeal to Indian travellers looking for efficient island getaways.
Diverse travel segments driving demand
Indian visitors explored Bintan across multiple segments throughout the year. Family holidays, leisure breaks and wellness-focused escapes saw consistent demand. The destination’s integrated resort zones, purpose-built leisure infrastructure and wide range of beachfront accommodations allowed travellers to experience the island without extensive internal travel. Spa and wellness offerings, golf courses, water sports and curated activities further strengthened Bintan’s positioning beyond a conventional beach destination.
Experience-led travel defines 2025
Experience-led travel played a defining role in 2025. Bintan’s IP events, including the Mandiri Bintan Marathon, sailing regattas, the BRAVE music festival, Bintan Triathlon and wellness retreats, attracted travellers seeking immersive and active holidays. These events complemented the island’s year-round leisure appeal and aligned well with Indian travellers who prefer meaningful experiences within shorter travel windows.
Focus on India as a priority market
Commenting on the destination’s approach, Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, Bintan Resorts, said, “India continues to be a priority market for Bintan. We are seeing interest across leisure, FIT, group travel, MICE and destination weddings. Our focus is to build relevance across all segments while ensuring ease of access, strong infrastructure and diverse experiences for Indian travellers.”
