India, April 2026: Bintan Resorts hosted the 4th edition of the Bintan Regatta from April 3–5, 2026, alongside the Festival Jong, bringing together international sailors and offering travellers a unique mix of sport and culture just a short ferry ride from Singapore.
The regatta saw participation from across Europe, Australia and Asia, highlighting Bintan’s growing presence within regional sailing circuits. Known for its steady winds and open waters, the destination continues to attract both seasoned competitors and returning participants.
A key highlight this year was the introduction of the Passage Race, a cross-border sailing leg from Singapore to Bintan. For Indian travellers, this adds a compelling dimension—making Bintan an easy extension to a Singapore itinerary while offering a distinctly different experience.
Running alongside the regatta, the Festival Jong added a cultural layer to the event, featuring traditional wind-powered wooden boats that reflect the region’s maritime heritage. Together, the regatta and festival offer something beyond a typical island getaway bringing together active experiences, cultural insights and a setting that feels both accessible and different from conventional Southeast Asian destinations.
Adding to the overall experience, this year also marked the first turtle release of 2026 at Laguna Beach, held alongside the Jong Festival. Visitors witnessed hatchlings making their way to the South China Sea, offering a rare and memorable moment that brought together nature and conservation within the broader event.
Commenting on this, Mr. Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer, Bintan Resorts, said: “Bintan Regatta and Festival Jong highlight how travel today is shifting towards more engaging and diverse experiences. The combination of international sailing and local maritime traditions already offers something distinctive and moments like witnessing turtle hatchlings at Laguna Beach add a more personal and memorable dimension to the visit. With our proximity to Singapore and expanding events calendar, Bintan continues to provide an accessible yet different option for travellers exploring the region.”
Supporting this is Bintan’s steadily growing ecosystem of infrastructure and year-round events. With fixtures such as the Bintan Marathon, Triathlon and Regatta, the destination is moving towards becoming a consistent, all-season option rather than a one-time visit.
About Bintan Resorts:
Bintan Resorts is an integrated tourism destination on Bintan Island, Riau Islands, Indonesia. Featuring 23 world- class resorts along the northern coastline and four golf courses designed by renowned designers. The destination offers seamless accessibility, with a 60-minute catamaran ferry ride from Singapore. A newly introduced 1-hour 30-minute direct ferry service also connects Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal in Johor Bahru, Malaysia to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal in Bintan Resorts. Additionally, direct flights are available from Jakarta to Tanjung Pinang and Batam Island, making it an ideal vacation choice.
For more information, visit www.bintan-resorts.com or @bintanresortsofficial
About VFS Global Tourism Services
VFS Global has established its regional and global footprints in the space of tourism services, complementing its core visa services business. With 16 years of experience, the Tourism Services Unit has served more than 25 destinations. The team partners client destinations, across different countries, to enable the achievement of their travel and tourism promotional objectives and business targets. We specialize in destination representation, outsourced tourism office management and trade support services for national tourism authorities from client governments. We facilitate them in a wide range of destination promotional activities.
Some of the key services include dedicated tourism support offices, destination training, product development, B2B roadshows & workshops, consumer events, digital campaigns, MICE engagement program, public relations and e-learning modules. The team is able to partner client destinations across different countries to deliver the desired tourist arrival and spend targets.
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As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation, including Generative AI, to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritises ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 71 client governments. Operating over 4,100 Application Centres in 168 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 542 million transactions* since 2001.
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