Batam Mayor Refers to Singapore's VTL Sea as Preferred Tourism Model

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi has officially asked the central government to alter the travel bubble between Batam, Bintan and Singapore to something that resembles the ‘vaccinated travel lane via sea’ or VTL Sea, which Singapore plans to implement on February 25. 

Despite sharing a similarity in terms of allowing vaccinated tourists to arrive without having to undergo quarantine, another major difference comes in the area in which tourists are permitted to travel. 

The VTL Sea does not limit tourist activities to one specific area whereas Indonesia’s Batam and Bintan travel bubble restricts Singaporean tourists from exiting Nongsa Batam and Lagoi Bintan areas. 

“In Singapore, tourists are free to roam places. We should implement the same,” said Mayor Rudi to journalists in Batam city, February 17.

He explained that changing travel policies is not within his authority as a mayor, and that he had formally asked the coordinating minister and President Joko Widodo for such changes to be made.

Rudi believed a change to travel cooperation such as Singapore’s VTL Sea will allow tourists to explore a broader area in the region. However, he acknowledged that COVID-19 cases in Batam city were increasing, but believed this could be overcome by accelerating its booster jab program and stricter health protocols. 

Echoing Rudi’s opinion, the head of Riau Islands’ Tourism Agency, Buralimar, also hoped the central government would adopt travel cooperation similar to Singapore’s VTL Sea. 

Read: Batam Bintan-Singapore Travel Bubble Opens Feb. 18

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA