Bintan Looks Ahead to 2026 with a Stronger Focus on the Indian Market
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.
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 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 yearround leisure appeal and aligned well with Indian travellers who prefer meaningful experiences within shorter travel windows.
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.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Bintan aims to deepen its engagement with the Indian market through targeted collaborations, stronger storytelling and experiences designed to encourage longer stays and repeat visits. Leisure travel will remain central, while the destination also sharpens its focus on MICE and weddings, supported by purpose-built venues and resort-led event infrastructure.
As travel continues to evolve, Bintan enters 2026 with clear direction, reinforcing its position as an accessible, experience-driven island destination for Indian travellers.
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