SLATED for completion in 2014/2015, recreational facilities at the 1,300-hectare Lagoi Bay will be ready in full force by end-2013.
They include a beach village mall, a canopy adventure trail suitable for teambuilding activities, an off-road rally car circuit and South-east Asia’s first ultra-light aircraft ride centre and flying school.
The 28-key luxury The Sanchaya is set to debut in November, followed by Alila Villas Bintan and Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay, Bintan early next year, adding over 250 more new rooms.
Chia Tek Yew, executive director, strategy & marketing, Bintan Resorts International, said arrivals to Bintan have grown over the last five years, rising four per cent year-on-year to 487,475 in 2012. He predicts over one million arrivals annually by 2015. Based on last year’s arrivals, Singaporeans comprised 32 per cent and Indonesians, 18 per cent.
Chia said: “Singaporeans form the bulk of our audience, and they like such resort destinations. Lagoi Bay will now provide them the opportunity to experience another resort destination, which will give them a high quality lifestyle experience.”
He added: “Currently, Indonesians in Jakarta have to fly to Batam first before reaching Bintan. But with the new (airport opening by 2015), accessibility will be better and we should be able to attract more Indonesians into their own island.”
– Read more in TTG Asia May 17-30, 2013 – Integrated Resorts
