BPS: International Tourist Arrivals to Riau Islands Increased by 12.88 Per Cent from January to July 2026

Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded that the number of international tourist arrivals to the Riau Islands Province (Kepri) during the period of January–July 2026 reached 1,225,574 visits, representing a 12.88 per cent increase compared to the 1,085,733 visits recorded during the same period the previous year.

The Acting Head of BPS Kepri, Margaretha Ari Anggorowati, stated that this increase was partly influenced by the increasingly varied tourism agenda organised in the region throughout 2026, which has successfully attracted more foreign tourists.

“The 2026 tourism agenda in Kepri includes various cultural festivals, culinary events, exhibitions, and international-standard sport tourism in Bintan Island,” Margaretha said in Tanjungpinang on Tuesday.

She noted that international arrivals to Kepri from January to July 2026 were still dominated by neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia, accounting for 40.27 per cent and 28.90 per cent of the total international visits during that period, respectively.

While the overall trend is upward, fluctuations were noted; the increase was bolstered by school holidays in Malaysia and Singapore in June 2026. However, arrival rates tended to be lower in July 2026 as there were no school holidays during that month.

Separately, the Head of the Riau Islands Tourism Office, Hasan, explained that the target for international tourist arrivals in 2026 has been set at 2.7 million visits, aiming to surpass the 2025 target of 2 million visits.