Fresh infrastructure developments are helping position the island as a compelling choice for regional business gatherings
Business events has always been part an integral part of Bintan Resort Cakrawala (BRC) – a subsidiary of Gallant Venture which oversees the operations and destination marketing of Bintan Resorts – but this trajectory was abruptly halted by the global pandemic.
Fuelled by the recent hotel openings of Four Points by Sheraton Bintan, Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach, and Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach, as well as a soon-to-open Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, the island is now charting an ambitious course with renewed vigour.
Additionally, The Plaza, which was closed during Covid-19, is expected to reopen in mid-2025 after renovations are completed.
A new Watersports Center has also been established at Lagoi Bay, and there are discussions to build an international-quality go-kart track, as well as a badminton hall.
BRC’s chief operating officer, Abdul Wahab, added: “The management is in the final stages of planning a convention centre that can accommodate approximately 5,000 participants. Designed with a resort feel, this centre will feature both indoor and outdoor facilities, allowing attendees to participate in meetings without formal attire such as ties or jackets.
The owners of Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach and Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach, PT Graha Agung Indahsentosa, told TTGmice that they see “great potential in Bintan as a MICE destination”, where the “goal is to rival destinations in the region such as Batam, Desaru, and Sentosa”.
Their optimism is reflected in the investment in the two hotels, which total 379 guestrooms. Both are located a 10-minute drive from the Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal. Meeting facilities at Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach include a ballroom that can hold 250 guests banquet-style, and three breakout rooms for up to 40 people each.
Meanwhile, the adjacent Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach offers a boardroom with ocean views. Shared event spaces include the Sekisah Pavilion and Garden with views of Lagoi Beach and the South China Sea, as well as an outdoor lawn that can hold up to 500 pax under a marquee.
Michael Beechey, cluster general manager at Hotel Indigo Bintan & Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach, explained that the Holiday Inn’s design specifically catered to business events from its inception.
“The western side of the resort can be utilised for MICE groups, which is slightly away from the eastern side where the family suites and children’s play areas are.
“We are targeting weekday MICE business from Singapore, where a good size for us would be of groups of between 150 to 300 pax. In Singapore where everything costs more, Bintan can be positioned as an attractive alternative. This is why I am very bullish about Bintan’s potential as a business events destination,” he said.
And although there is still some construction ongoing on the fringes of the property, two buyouts have already taken place, Beechey shared.
In the pipeline and on track to open by the end of 2025 is a football pitch, wellness centre with 21 treatment rooms, and pickleball and badminton courts. A four-storey standalone building next to the Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach is also currently under construction, and TTGmice understands that it will feature a rooftop bar, Chinese restaurant, and shops.
“We want our guests to also experience the resort and destination, and not
leave immediately after their event,” he pointed out.
Recently, BRC helped to lobby for a seven-day visa that costs S$20 (US$15.30; down from S$50 for a 30-day visa previously), “which was longer than what corporate groups required”, Beechey stated. Singaporeans and Singapore PRs enjoy visa-free entry to Bintan, making them the primary target market.
Aside from the Singapore market, Abdul is also looking at attracting more guests from China and India. In China, BRC has partnered with Shanghai Zero Media, a digital marketing agency, while in India, BRC has established a marketing representative office, and partnered with Visa Facilitation Services.
On the eastern part of the island, The Residence Bintan has already built a business events strategy around attracting high-profile corporate events and full-property buyouts.
“Bintan has seen some exciting developments recently, and a few key ones stand out as game-changers for business events. First, the Lagoi area has expanded significantly – just this year, we’ve seen several new resorts open, catering to everything from luxury travellers to midscale and budget-conscious guests.
“This growth not only boosts the island’s overall appeal but also raises the bar for service and amenities, which is great for corporate groups,” Rajeev Paul, general manager of The Residence Bintan, acknowledged.
The Residence’s target markets are Singapore and Europe, where there’s “strong demand” for all-inclusive business retreats. In a proactive effort to secure business events, The Residence Bintan leverages its industry connections, offers exclusive preview experiences, and employs smart data tools to “connect with the right decision-makers”.
Their strategy further involves partnerships with luxury travel planners and corporate concierge services, which are supported by targeted digital campaigns that demonstrate the success of past gatherings.
“The island’s strong tourism recovery, with arrivals expected to exceed 700,000 by 2025, creates an ideal environment for MICE growth,” said Paul.
