RRI.CO.ID, Pekanbaru - The tourism sector in Riau Province is showing robust signs of recovery, with foreign tourist arrivals reaching 27,505 in March 2026. This figure marks a 3.10 percent increase compared to the previous month, signaling a steady upward trajectory for the region’s travel industry.

Head of the Riau Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Asep Riyadi, highlighted that the growth is even more pronounced when viewed through an annual lens. “Compared to March 2025, foreign tourist visits have increased by 50.27 percent,” Asep said in Pekanbaru on Monday, May 4, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

The data reveals a diverse range of entry points for international travelers. Approximately 8,870 tourists entered through four primary immigration gates, while a substantial 18,635 visits were recorded via Mobile Positioning Data (MPD) in Bengkalis Regency.

The breakdown of arrivals at the main immigration gates includes several key entry points, starting with Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru, which saw the highest volume with 4,052 arrivals. Following this, Dumai Port processed 2,233 arrivals, while Bengkalis Port recorded 1,821 international visits.

Additionally, Tanjung Harapan Port in the Meranti Islands contributed 764 arrivals to the total count of foreign visitors entering through primary checkpoints.

Asep further noted that visits through these primary gates surged by 49.03 percent compared to February 2026 and rose by 62.51 percent year-on-year. In terms of transportation modes, sea travel remains the preferred method for visitors entering Riau, accounting for 54.32 percent of the total, while air travel contributed 45.68 percent.

Regional proximity continues to play a significant role in Riau's tourism demographics. Tourists from Malaysia remain the dominant group, contributing 13,020 visits or 47.34 percent of the total market share.

Other significant contributors to the region's tourism include China, which accounted for 2,103 visits or 7.65 percent of the total. The Philippines also represented a notable share of arrivals with 1,601 visits, making up 5.82 percent. Furthermore, Singapore contributed 1,379 visits at 5.01 percent, while India rounded out the top group with 800 visits, representing 2.91 percent of the international arrivals.

Notably, the United Kingdom recorded the highest growth rate among individual nationalities, with a 48.49 percent increase in arrivals compared to the previous month. This was followed by Malaysia, which saw a 12.58 percent month-on-month rise.

The historical trend from March 2025 to March 2026 shows a period of fluctuation, with arrivals peaking in December 2025 at 32,581 visits. While the numbers saw a slight dip in the first two months of 2026, the rebound in March suggests a renewed interest in Riau’s destinations.

According to Asep, the overall annual growth serves as a strong indicator of a revitalized sector. “This increase shows a recovery and an increase in interest from foreign tourists visiting Riau,” he concluded. ***