Jong Tradition Strengthens Cultural Tourism Appeal of Bintan

Bintan Island is preparing to revive the Malay maritime tradition to a wide audience, particularly tourists, through the Jong boat racing festival held on the shores of Lagoi Bay in North Bintan in early April. This event is not merely a spectacle but also a space for reflection on the cultural identity of the Riau Islands that has endured from the past to the present, whilst offering a memorable tourism experience for travellers.

Amid the wave of globalisation, tourists no longer merely seek entertainment but also values and meaning from the destinations they visit. Culture-based experiences often leave a deep impression and become a distinctive attraction in themselves.

In line with the Ministry of Tourism’s priorities, cultural tourism development has become one of the important pillars. The Jong tradition of Bintan Island has been designated as part of the flagship Kharisma Event Nusantara programme on 14 January 2026.

The holding of Jong wooden boat races at Lagoi Beach is not new. This activity has been held consecutively since 2024 and demonstrates consistent enthusiasm from both tourists and the Jong community.

The Bintan Regency Department of Culture and Tourism has recorded increased visitor numbers in recent years. In 2025, domestic tourist arrivals rose 18.45 per cent to 744,468 people, whilst foreign tourist numbers grew 21.45 per cent to 253,366 people.

“This growth must be fostered by providing quality tourism experiences, one of which concerns cultural uniqueness,” said Arief Sumarsono, Head of the Bintan Regency Department of Culture and Tourism.

This year, approximately 526 participants from 31 Jong communities will take part. They come not only from Bintan Island but also from Karimun, Batam, and neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

Choy Yi Hong, General Manager of Changi Sailing Club in Singapore, shared his community’s impressions upon witnessing the festival alongside the Bintan Regatta.

“Every year the CSC community, comprised of various nationalities from around the world, witnesses the Jong Festival at the same time they participate in the Bintan Regatta. What impresses them is the opportunity to witness the traditional Jong boat racing tradition without a helmsman and relying only on wind speed. For this year’s Bintan Regatta competition event, we do hope the Jong Festival will be scheduled at the same time,” said Choy.

This spirit is driving the sustainability of the Jong festival as an effort to preserve cultural heritage whilst making it a tourism attraction. Wooden boats with red, yellow, blue, and green sails will again colour the tropical sky and blue sea of Lagoi Bay. This landscape creates a photogenic panorama whilst demonstrating harmony between fishing traditions and the beauty of the coastal environment.

Collaboration between the Bintan Regency Department of Culture and Tourism with Bintan Resorts as the venue demonstrates synergy in managing culture-based tourism attractions. The staging of the Jong festival aligned with Bintan Regatta 2026 demonstrates sustained commitment to preserving tradition, not merely a momentary ceremony.

In April, Lagoi Beach will again become an arena for colourful wooden sailing boats racing. The Jong tradition is not merely revived but also affirmed as a Malay coastal identity that is the primary strength of Bintan Island’s tourism destination. Beyond serving as a cultural stage, the festival also involves small and medium-sized enterprises from surrounding villages as part of strengthening the local economy.