TTG Asia Luxury May 2018 | Page 41

focus beyond singapore Restorative luxury on Bintan Island Far from the madding crowd, yet within easy reach. The insanely rich are going to Bintan to regain their sanity, reports Mimi Hudoyo The Indonesian island, Bintan, has long been a weekend getaway for city escapers from Singapore, thanks to its abundance of nature, beaches, golf courses and easy access from its neighbouring country. Few however, would associate Bintan as a real luxury destination because of a perceived lack of infrastructure to cater to the upper upscale market, and little by the way of a concerted and coordinat- ed effort among its players to market it as one. This steadily changing as more high-end ac- commodations and facilities open on the island, their own marketing and promotions helping to lift the island’s high-end image to a global audi- ence and, perhaps eventually, creating a critical mass needed to trumpet Bintan jointly and consist- ently as a glamorous getaway. The presence of fresh company could be good news for Banyan Tree Holdings, the swashbuckler The Sanchaya TTG Asia luxury | May 2018 35