Indonesia Tees Off Golf Tourism

Indonesia aspires to become a top golfing destination in the region, as Singapore has been shutting courses, leaving a void for neighbouring countries to fill.

The city-states that a land crunch has led to the closure of many of its public golf courses, including the Marina Bay golf course, its last public 18-hole course, prompting enthusiasts of the sport to seek golf vacations overseas. "As Singapore has become more expensive and less affordable, we could provide a golf tourism destination replacement in Riau Islands, which has geographical proximity," said Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiago Uno.

Indonesia could position Riau Islands as the third largest tourist entry point after Bali and Jakarta as the country's golf tourism hub. Situated less than an hour's ferry ride from Singapore, the province has seven private and three public golf courses on the Batam and Bintan Islands, respectively. Furthermore, the demand for golfing has been growing in Indonesia, with the minister pointing out increased interest from international tourists and domestic players flocking to courses in Jakarta and Bali.

Sandiaga suggested that the country capitalises on the sports' growing popularity for tourism development under the government's ten new Bali initiatives that seek to promote destinations of the famed resort island. "We will map out the golf tourism opportunities in Lake Toba, Mandalika, and Labuan Bajo said Sandiaga. "Through golfing, we can improve tourism awareness in these super-priority destinations."

The country's golf industry has benefited from a surge in the sport's popularity, with the participation rate among Indonesians spiking 20% since the COVID-19 pandemic 2020, according to Indonesia Golf Association head for international relations Bernardino Moningka Vega. Bernardino pointed out that the pandemic restrictions on outdoor activities have inadvertently propelled golf to the forefront as it remained one of the few recreational options available.

"If growth was stuck between 5% and 6