Indonesia is attempting to increase golf hospitality as it looks to complete the local gap left by Singapore, which is shuttering golf training as it looks at how to make the most of its limited area.
According to Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno on July 1, the Riau Islands have the most options because there are already 10 golf courses it and more are being built.
” We support the growth of golf hospitality because in Singapore it is becoming more expensive and unaffordable,” Mr. Sandiaga was quoted as saying during his weekly briefing.
From three, property- limited Singapore is then down to its last open golf course, a 9- hole venue. The last 18-hole public golf course in the country closed about a week ago ( Jun 30 ), and experts have told CNA that they anticipate more golf courses to be built.
Mr. Sandiaga expressed hope that the Batam Golf Challenge 2024, which would launch a two-day golf competition at a Batam nation club on June 29, will make the Riau Islands a top golfer tourism place in Indonesia.
He noted that there are now three golf courses in Bintan Regency, with another under development. In the town of Batam, there are already seven golfing training, with plans to add more in the future.
” This is a really excellent golf tourism destination in Indonesia”, Mr Sandiaga said. The Riau Islands are strategically close to Singapore, according to the commerce minister, adding that Singaporean golfers can travel by boat to the islands.  ,
Mr. Sandiaga also cited the advancements made in various areas, revealing how Jakarta, West Java, and nearby areas now have a number of golf training.
According to him,” We have mapped out every” super priority” tourist place that we want to promote as well,” referring to the company’s earlier plans in March 2022 to build 25 new golf courses in five” super priority” locations by 2025.
These five places are: Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in Lombok, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, and Likupang in North Sulawesi.
At least five golf courses of global conventional are encouraged. Golf has both quantitative and competitive strengths. Our proximity to golf training and kindness are advantageous for both visitors and golfers, according to Mr. Sandiaga at the time.
The Indonesian Golf Association ( PGI )’s ( PGI ) head of international relations, Bernardino Moningka Vega, claimed the sport’s popularity has increased.
He noted that Indonesians ‘ participation rates have increased by 20 % since the COVID- 19 pandemic in 2020.  ,
According to Mr. Bernardino, who spoke to the Jakarta Post, the pandemic’s restrictions on outdoor activities accidentally thrust sport into the forefront because it remained one of the few pleasure options at the time.
However, Antara media firm, citing data from golf store purchases, reported that the number of golf in Indonesia has reached nearly 170, 000, away from around 50, 000 before the pandemic.
Despite this, research suggests that golfing tourism in Indonesia is still considerably lower than that in other Southeast Asian nations and beyond.
In a CNBC Indonesia report earlier this month, it was reported that Indonesia would have 170 golf courses by 2022, trailing only behind neighbors like Malaysia ( 244 ), Thailand ( 319 ), and India ( 296 ).
According to President Commissioner of Intra GolfLink Resorts ( IGR ) Darma Mangkuluhur Hutomo, Indonesia receives around 250, 000 golf tourists annually.
The figure is considerably lower than that of its neighbors. Thailand often attracts 6 million, Vietnam 1.5 million, and Malaysia 500, 000 sport visitors each month, said Mr Dharma as quoted by media outlet Detik.  ,
According to Mr. Bernardino, as reported in the Jakarta Post, property shortage in some Asian cities impedes the entry of more golf courses and drives up prices.
This provides a “golden opportunity” for Indonesia to promote its golf courses, which are” also affordable”, he added.
Mr. Bernardino suggested that the Indonesian sport organization propose to work with its South Asian counterparts to promote local golf tourism and promote cross-country golfing excursions to bridge the gap.  ,
” My program is aiming in that direction”, Mr Bernardino said. ” We may also work with local airlines like AirAsia or Singapore Airlines to incorporate flight schedule with golf trips.”