Indonesians make up 79pct of Johor's foreign patients
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor is looking to attract more Indonesian visitors, particularly medical tourists, with a new ferry link to Batam expected to improve cross-border connectivity and create fresh tourism opportunities.
In 2025, 79 percent of the 127,000 international patients treated in Johor were from Indonesia. The Indonesian Consul-General in Johor Baru, Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto, announced a new ferry link between Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal and Gold Coast Ferry Terminal in Bengkong, Batam. This new connection aims to improve cross-border connectivity and create tourism opportunities.
Sigit noted that the route would be particularly beneficial for travelers to western Batam, an area experiencing growing tourism development. He stated that the service would also make travel more convenient for Johoreans visiting Batam and visitors from Batam coming to Johor, allowing them to reach attractions like Johor Premium Outlets and Legoland more easily.
Sigit emphasized that ferry connectivity remains a major driver of travel between Johor and Indonesia's Riau Islands, with eight out of 11 passenger ferry connections operating through Johor. The new ferry service is part of efforts to strengthen tourism ties between Johor and Batam, potentially benefiting local businesses, tourism operators, and communities on both sides.
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