BINTAN Resorts is stepping up efforts in India this year, having kicked off a two-city roadshow in Mumbai and New Delhi on February 10 and 12 respectively.
Said Asad Shiraz, director of marketing for Bintan Resorts International: “It was about four years ago when we last organised a roadshow in India. I think there is not enough awareness about Bintan here.
“The fact that Singapore and Bintan are so close to each other and yet so different, makes it a good proposition for India travel consultants to promote Bintan as a twin destination with Singapore.”
Having identified key partners for joint promotion and marketing, he added the company is seeking various ways to engage with India travel consultants, such as sending them direct mailers.
“We are also mulling hosting of office bearers of some key travel consultant associations, apart from giving presentations to their members, and participating in major tradeshows in India,” he shared.
Bintan Resorts recorded 17,528 tourist arrivals from India, a year-on-year increase of 8.9 per cent. However, the numbers from India stood at 21,150 in 2012.
Bintan Resorts has also partnered with the Changi Airport Group to emphasise the twin destinations concept. To this end, all Indian visitors to Bintan Resorts will enjoy a S$30 (US$22) voucher while on transit at Changi Airport, along with a free Mangrove Discovery Tour.
“We will distribute the voucher either through the inbound travel consultants in Singapore or from our ferry counters. This year many of our new facilities and products will be available, so we want to reintroduce Bintan and educate Indian travellers about our new developments.”
Manas Sinha, director, regional marketing office, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are looking to tap MICE, wedding and family segments in India. We expect to see at least 15-20 per cent growth in Indian arrivals in 2015.”
Within Bintan Resorts’ Lagoi Bay mega development, The Sanchaya resort opened in January, while the Lagoi Swiss-BelHotel and shopping mall Plaza Lagoi are expected to open in March.
A 100-year-old museum ship hotel, Doulos Phos, is expected to open this Christmas, apart from another shopping facility, Bintan Market Place, in 2H2015.
Bintan Resorts also expects to open its own international airport in early 2017.
