Batam, 16 October 2025 – Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana encouraged the Nongsa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Batam, Riau Islands, to develop into a world-class tourism destination supported by a global-standard digital economy and industrial ecosystem.
Government Commitment to Strengthening Tourism and Digital Connectivity
Minister Widiyanti began her working visit to Batam by inspecting several strategic locations within the Nongsa SEZ to directly observe the progress of tourism infrastructure development alongside the growth of an internationally oriented digital economy ecosystem.
“Today’s visit to the Nongsa SEZ reflects the government’s commitment—through the Ministry of Tourism—to support the acceleration of investment, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen Batam’s connectivity as one of Indonesia’s main tourism gateways,” said Minister Widiyanti in Batam on Thursday (16/10/2025).
During the visit, Minister Widiyanti was accompanied by the Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, along with regional government officials. They reviewed key development sites, including Infinite Studios, a hub for creative industry development, and the Apple Academy, which serves as a center for technology and application talent development.
Source: Secretariat of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. “Tinjau Infinite Frameworks Studio Batam, Wapres Apresiasi Talenta Kreatif Indonesia yang Mendunia.” Press Release, 10 September 2025.
Available at: Official Wapresri Website
Integrating Marine Tourism, Creative Industries, and Digital Talent
The delegation also visited Costaluna, a commercial area that serves as one of the economic growth centers within the Nongsa SEZ, as well as Nongsa Point Marina—a marine tourism gateway capable of accommodating approximately 67 yachts from various countries, including Australia, the United States, and several European nations.
The presence of the marina aligns with the Ministry of Tourism’s flagship program, Tourism Upgrading, which prioritizes the development of marine tourism as one of Indonesia’s key tourism strengths.
The Nongsa SEZ is positioned as an integrated area that combines tourism potential with the development of digital and industrial ecosystems connected to global markets. The zone is also being developed as an education and data center hub, which is expected to strengthen Batam’s role in the international digital economy value chain.
Investment Performance and Future Economic Impact
Synergy between the tourism and digital economy sectors in the Nongsa SEZ is expected to create new experiences for visitors while also attracting domestic and international investors.
Investment realization in the Nongsa SEZ in 2025 has reached 95 percent, or approximately IDR 2.7098 trillion, of the targeted IDR 2.835 trillion. Meanwhile, cumulative investment from the designation of Nongsa as an SEZ in 2021 through June 2025 has reached IDR 8.4 trillion.
With this synergy, the Nongsa SEZ is projected to become a significant catalyst for economic growth, generate new employment opportunities, and deliver tangible benefits to surrounding communities.
“I am confident that with strong synergy among the central government, regional governments, investors, business players, and all stakeholders involved in the development of the Nongsa SEZ, this area will continue to grow and become a source of pride for Indonesia,” Minister Widiyanti concluded.
Accompanying the Minister of Tourism during the visit were Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism Bayu Aji and Deputy for Industry and Investment at the Ministry of Tourism Rizki Handayani.
Source: Secretariat of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. “Tinjau Infinite Frameworks Studio Batam, Wapres Apresiasi Talenta Kreatif Indonesia yang Mendunia.” Press Release, 10 September 2025.
Available at: Official Wapresri Website
