The golfing event at Bintan Lagoon Resort was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, Riau Island provincial administration and the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.
Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR) was the recent host venue for a friendly golf game and stay attended by 70 diplomats and spouses from Singapore and Jakarta.
The event was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, Riau Island provincial administration and the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. Initiated by H.E. Ngurah Swajaya, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore, the hosts also included Mr. A. M Fachir, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Nurdin Basirun, (Acting) Governor of Riau. Among the diplomats in attendance were Mr. Tan Hung Seng, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Singapore to ASEAN (Jakarta), Ambassadors from Laos, Chile, Soloman Islands, India, Switzerland, Netherlands, Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Papua New Guinea and Serbia.
(left to right): Wahyudi, Director of Rooms, BLR; Ngurah Swajaya, Indonesia Ambassador to Singapore and Gerald Hendrick, Vice President – Business Development & Hotel Operations, BLR
“This is the first time that the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore is organizing such an event for members of the diplomatic corps. The main objective is to introduce Bintan and Batam to the diplomats based in Singapore and Jakarta as not many have been to the islands. Those in Jakarta were impressed by the easy accessibility in reaching Bintan via a one-hour flight to Tanjong Pinang, the capital of Bintan while those in Singapore arrived on a short direct ferry ride to the Resort’s premises ” remarked H.E. Ngurah Swajaya, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore.
“It is a great opportunity to showcase the destination and its infrastructure and I am proud to say that the experience has left a very positive impression on the diplomats as well as my own colleagues,”
He added, ”This event serves as an excellent networking event among the diplomatic communities of both Singapore and Jakarta in a different environment as it provides a change from doing this in both cities. Once the international airport in Bintan is completed, more tourists will be attracted to visit Bintan. Our government is also developing marine tourism as these island are perfect for it.”
“With the security concerns happening around the world, we also want to assure our friends that Bintan, Batam and Karimun are safe for investments and business opportunities,” he continued.
(left to right): Rohaya Hassan,BLR, Ambassador of Lao PDR, Mrs Phavanh Nuanthsaing, Mrs Gyeyoung Cho, Robert Turvey, BLR and Mrs Kayo Zusuki Tan
At Bintan Lagoon Resort, the diplomats and their spouses were hosted to a beach party and enjoyed an Indonesian menu with dishes representing various parts of Indonesia. A cultural show with fireworks and karaoke by diplomats followed after dinner. On the second day, the diplomats teed off at the award-winning Jack Nicklaus course while their spouses participated in a Mangrove Forest tour. The group stayed one night at Bintan Lagoon Resort before transferring to Batam.
Mr Gerald A Hendrick, Vice President – Business Development and Hotel Operations, commented “We are indeed delighted to be the host resort for this auspicious gathering. There is nothing like seeing and experiencing the Resort facilities personally. Bintan is really a hidden gem and we want to share this with the whole world. ‘Service from the heart’ is our philosophy and we hope they will take back special memories of Wonderful Indonesia from Bintan. 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Bintan Lagoon Resort. Our President Director, Moe Ibrahim, has lined up an exciting master plan to transform this into a more extraordinary property within the next few years.”
Photo caption (left to right): Ngurah Swajaya, Indonesia Ambassador to Singapore, A M Fachir, Vice Foreign Minister of Indonesia; Tan Hung Seng, Singapore Permanent Representative/Ambassador to ASEAN and Manuel Gerardo Talavera, Peru Ambassador to Singapore
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
