Batam Prepare Various Tourism Events in 2012

Batam City Government targeting foreign tourists to visit Batam reached 1.26 million people in this 2012. Target was up about 10 percent of the realization of foreign tourists visiting in 2011 that reached 1.161 million people.

Head of Batam City Tourism and Culture Yusfa Hendri said the target is a realistic figure if they see the potential of existing tourism. It also has coordinated with relevant party, ranging from PHRI, Asita, Batam Tourism Board and others, to jointly realize the targets of foreign tourists visit it.


Yusfa words, throughout these 2012 Batam agenda prepared a number of tourism to attract foreign tourists, especially the sporting-annual sporting Pemko Batam. As in previous years, Pemko Batam still rely on the private sector in tourism in 2012 the implementation of this agenda.


Some of the annual agenda which will be held again this year include Sea Eagle Boat Race, Batam International Beach Volleyball, the Singapore Straits Regatta, Malays Art Festivity and others. In total there are 19 events.

"The nearest event, we will hold the Singapore Straits Regatta in January 26 to 29 coming in Nongsa," said Yusfa.

Moreover, there are some tentative event prepared Pemko Batam as well as by private parties. For example, the Tour De Barelang or dive tour packages (diving) Brother Island, Rempang.

Yusfa said, according to statistics from the survey results by Ministry of Tourism and Industry, the number of foreign tourists who first visit to Batam is only about 31 percent. The rest are tourists who've been to Batam before.

Foreign Tourist Dominated by Men

Yusfa added that throughout 2011 the number of tourist arrivals to Batam reached 1,161,582 people. This figure exceeded the target set by the headquarter, i.e., 1.15 million foreign tourists.

When compared with the realization of the visit of foreign tourists in 2010, the number of foreign tourists to Batam throughout 2011 also increased quite dramatically. Where in 2010 the number of foreign tourists coming through Batam is only about 1,007,446.

"Each year, Batam could meet the target, even beyond the given target," said Yusfa.

In terms of gender, foreign tourists visiting Batam in 2011 dominated by men which is about 68.74 percent. The remainder, 31.26 percent were female tourists. In terms of age dominated by adults between 25-34 years of age which is about 39.36 percent.

An average stay (stay) tourist in Batam was 2.86 days with an average expenditure 319.59 U.S. dollars. Still dominated by foreign tourists to Batam from Singapore and other Asian countries followed a few, such as Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and others.