Batam Targets 1.25 Million Tourists in Year 2013

Batam City Government targeting foreign tourists to visit the area as many as 1.25 million people in 2013, an increase compared to 2012 some 1.2 million people.

"Target 2013 as many as 1.25 million foreign tourists," said Head of Batam City Tourism Yusfa Hendri in "focus group discussion" Tourism 2013 at Batam Riau Islands, on Thursday.

Improvement targets, he said, along with the improvement and enhancement of infrastructure and various events organized to attract tourists to Batam.

For example, he said, the tourism area around the barelang  bridge I that built by central government in 2012, is now ready to use so it is expected to absorb more foreign tourists.

In the same place, Head of Tourism and Culture Riau Islands Province Guntur Sakti said the government had inaugurate the barelang bridge I as a tourist place in December 2012.

According to him, since the central government  develop the region, many entrepreneurs who are interested in building a business that supporting tourism.

"The Barelang bridge 1 area development is the government's efforts to 'triger' tourism in Batam," he said.

In addition to revamping the Barelang bridge I,   in 2013 the central government and the local government is also planning to develop the Abang island as a tourist destination.

The island is a national strategic area was developed into the dive and "snorkeling" because it has the beauty of marine life.

The government also increased the budget for infrastructure by means of improving the quality of roads to pamper tourists.

In addition to the infrastructure improvements and the addition of object tourism facilities, local governments cooperate Tourism Ministry also held a variety of events that are expected to bring in tourists in Batam Art Cultural them in September 2013, the Food and Culinary Festival.

"It was a parade procession at midnight in the Nagoya area," said Thunder.
Regarding constraints, Guntur said Batam facility has not had a safe and convenient transportation when transportation is one of the basic facilities that should be provided in the area of tourism.

"Batam need safe and convenient transportation," he said.

Read more »

Indonesia’s Batam Island Eyes Singapore Tourism Growth

Indonesia's Batam island, an industrial zone with desires of remodeling into a significant vacationer destination, is sprucing itself up to lure massive-spending guests from subsequent-door Singapore.

Batam is seeking to emulate the success of other Indonesian island close to Singapore, Bintan, which is already luxurious seashore and golfing vacation spot after opening high-pace ferry links to the town-state within the 1990s.

To do so it must overhaul its picture to faucet into the spillover from the booming tourism market in Singapore, the city-state only a 45-minute ferry trip away.

With Malaysia's close by Johor state luring extra visitors to its Iskandar metropolis, islands, seashores, palaces and national parks, Batam faces stiff competition. Johor recorded 15 million foreign arrivals in 2011, ninety % of them day-tripping Singaporeans.

Indonesian tourism officials say arrivals in Batam have stabilized at around a million yearly for the previous five years, lots of them coming via ferry from Singapore, which welcomed more than thirteen million guests in 2011.

While nearly a third of the Singapore visitors were from Indonesia and Malaysia, the remaining are vacationers from different countries who Batam officers hope may very well be enticed to visit if it develops more attractions.

With its large industrial sector and legions of migrant employees, Batam city is thoroughly urbanized, however exterior town, underdeveloped islets and coastal areas are being eyed by investors.

Ong Chih Ching, a Singaporean property developer, believes that regardless of its major industrial zones, Batam still boasts pristine seashores and a country charm.

Her firm, the KOP Group, is bankrolling the upmarket Montigo Resorts venture, which might assist reverse Batam's popularity as a shabby place the place Singaporeans established factories - and where some men keep Indonesian mistresses.

"I simply felt that it is a gem that has not been polished and that's not particularly reasonable because folks simply don't give it a chance," stated Ong, whose change of heart came when she went to view a vacant plot of land in 2008.

She made the decision instantly after viewing the property and the Montigo venture, which cost Sg$110 million ($88 million), will consist of 88 pool villas and 45 residences nestled on a hill with panoramic sea views. The advanced - which claims to be Batam's first 5-star resort.

Each Batam and Bintan are part of the Riau Archipelago, which has lengthy been overshadowed by Bali as a tourist destination.

"Batam's benefit is its proximity to Singapore, a tourism and aviation hub," stated Jonathan Galaviz, managing director of US-based analysis firm Galaviz and Company, which closely tracks Singapore's tourism industry.

With a population of just five to six million in comparison with Indonesia's 240 million and Malaysia's 28 million, Singapore's tourist arrivals boomed after it opened two casino resorts in 2010, constructing on its role as a gateway to the neighboring Southeast Asian region.

Read more »

Oppa Batam Style

To know more about it, I wrote this article to introduce the place where I live on the island of Batam Riau Islands, Indonesia. I will not write about Batam city profile due to you can search by yourself on Google, so that will be written this time around Batam is my experience that certainly  different from the experience in my village.

Ok let started. So here are the interesting facts about Batam.

Singapore

As one of the province closest to the neighboring country, it is no wonder Singapore has a lot of influence on the lives of Batam. The distance is usually by a ferry only 45 minutes away plus 5 ferry terminal scattered everywhere so it is not surprising to most people in Batam is certainly ever go to Singapore. I was often so. Go in the morning lurking there into the night and just got home at the last ferry. So not need to pay rent a very expensive hotel there. Ticket prices range from about $ 42 USD. If there is a long public holiday, it can be ascertained Batam city will empty since the many return to their home town (most of citizen in Batam are nomads) or are foreigner such as Singapore, Malaysia etc...

Lifestyle

Lifestyle in Batam also widely affected by Singapore and Malaysia. In Batam TV channels without cable or parabolic antenna also been able to see Singapore and Malaysia TV channel! Because it is close to Singapore then on Batam almost all kinds of Singapore second hand good/junk can easily to get. Starting from HP, clothes, laptops, to boots and sandals. I have a friend who works in Singapore by collecting junk and reselling them in Batam.

So for the people of Batam with insufficient capital also can follow latest trend in Batam. Also because the distances are very close to Singapore can usually be found uncle/oppa (in Korean) from Singapore that lurking around at Nagoya Batam especially in the week end. Well I think the nightlife in Batam all of you already quite familiar. Usually some of these uncle illegally to have a wife in Batam so fitting his weekend to meet his wife and child in Batam although in his native country may only have labor job like cleaning service or taxi driver not a white collar worker. Surely the presence of uncle/oppa also helps increase income for the prostitutes / transvestites in Batam. Then usually also often found in local newspapers Singaporean’ uncle who died while being associated with prostitutes. So tragically...

Colloquial

Many Batam people who can master the average Chinese Mandarin well. Maybe because the TV channels are providing a full mandarin, the surrounding environment and work demands which are established by Singaporeans in Batam. In fact many private school, has taught Mandarin since elementary. Also of course the English language is very important in Batam.

Economy

When I was visiting Jakarta I once asked by my friend if in Batam use Singapore dollars huh? Hah interesting question. Of course not, but if you go to the boutique shopping at the mall and had no rupiah anymore, they still accept dollars. In fact, it was more profitable to use the dollar for clothes bag purse usually imported from Singapore. Therefore the money changer mushrooming in the city of Batam. Batam is also driven by the economies of many foreign corporations from many in Batam shipyard, Electronics, manufacturing etc... They say Batam are job paradise seekers because there are many companies that coupled with the adoption of the Batam Free Trade Zone.

Food

Well that is for food lovers definitely cannot wait. Batam's most famous culinary seafood. Here there are lots of tasty seafood restaurant from the fresh sea. For food with a local flavor is also there. Want to eat Batak; Padang; Chinese; Japanese; Sunda is all around considering your pocket is not empty. There are also many food vendors. Which I kind of regret is nasi Padang here is less chili kick! Quite different from the original Nasi Padang in Jakarta.

Walk

Many foreign tourists come to Batam for spa or massage. If they are keen on beach in Batam, they will stay at the resort. Resort in Batam quite a lot with various water games facilities. If regular local visitors are more inclined to shopping because here bag / branded clothes have many brands and quite cheap.

Read more »

4 Types of Nightlife Location in Batam, Indonesia

When you imagine that an array of great hotel deals in Batam is sufficient to experience an unforgettable trip in Indonesia, think again. The island's gorgeous pure attractions make for a pleasurable holiday, however there's extra to Batam than just the obvious, typical vacationer destinations. Your Batam journey packages and deals may also be a part of an exceptional getaway, as you'd have the ability to take pleasure in plenty of activities without worrying about how costly the trip goes to be.

During daytime, you can spend lengthy hours exploring the city, participating in a water sport activity, body massage or shopping. However, be sure that to save lots of your vitality for an evening out in town. Here are a number of the places that you would possibly need to take into account when you're searching for some nighttime diversion:

Massage Parlour

Batam is not just a business city but also a travel city, massage business that spreading in Batam adds its own charm. Almost in every corner of town and around Nagoya and Jodoh have plenty offering massage services, the few massage places are well known among the boys in the city are: Moonlight, Fortune, Angel and China Town.

Karaoke

There are literally hundreds of karaoke bars located in almost every direction of Nagoya. It is very popular with Chinese and Singaporean, so most of the songs are in Chinese with some well-known English and Indonesian songs.

While most individuals right here sing at a big karaoke hall, some bars provide personal rooms to cater to large group who want a unique space for their events or parties. Some of the karaoke lounge that famous within tourist is Newton, M1 and Planet Holiday.

Nightclubs

One of many the reason why Batam turns into an energetic, vibrant place to get together at night time is due to the nightclubs or discotheques in the island. A few of these institutions function live bands enjoying Chinese language, Singaporean, Indonesian, and English songs, while others play trendy pop and techno music. Most of the clubs are open from 7 PM, and all get busy around midnight and operates till 5 within the morning. There isn't any strict costume-code, but slippers are usually not allowed for clubbers' personal safety. A few of the most popular discotheques in Batam embrace the Planet Ozon Discotheque, Ice Pub, Jungle Diskotik, and Ozon Discotheque.

Pubs

For those who like to drink however do not like to dance, Batam has a number of bars that feature reside bands or massive flat-screen TVs broadcasting sports events. Most of the open-air beer pubs are located in Nagoya Entertainment District such as Bistro, The Flame, De's Java, Final Pub, Rio Rita, Jungle Bar, and Onerous Chili Café.

These are just few of the choices accessible in Batam. The island boasts loads of enjoyable actions that will make your vacation a truly extraordinary experience. So, don’t simply reap the benefits of excellent lodge deals in Batam, be sure you get to get pleasure from all the things that the island offers for an implausible vacation trip.

Read more »

A Short Guide to the Five Ferry Ports of Batam, Indonesia

With quite a few ports, it may be laborious to decide on the ferry you need to journey on the way to your lodge/hotel in Batam, Indonesia from Singapore or Malaysia and vice versa. Whether you are a business traveler pressed for time or a tourist eager to unwind, you'd need to choose an arrival and departure point that is not too far from your hotel. To help you choose the best ferry and port on your trip, here is a short guide to Batam's 5 ports (in order based on the number of traffic coming to the port).

Batam Center Seaport

This busy seaport has the most frequent ferry connections to Singapore and Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Nevertheless, ferries from this port take the longest route from Batam to Singapore, which takes approximately one hour to complete. Positioned close to the Mega Mall Shopping Center, the Batam Center Seaport is among the greatest choices for residents in the Batam center area and for many who must go to a government office. It is 15 to 20 minutes from Nagoya and half-hour from the airport. Operated by Batam Fast/Sindo Ferry, the port is open from 7 am to 10 pm and has shops that sell snacks and drinks. A giant, secure parking space for automobiles and motorbikes is also out there for ferry passengers, with a choice for overnight parking.

Sekupang Seaport

The Sekupang Seaport is popular for being the soar-off point for the fastest ferries from Batam to Singapore - ferries departing from this point take the shortest route when going to Harborfront. It's also the most important port for ferries going to domestic locations just like the Sumatran mainland and the Karimun Islands. Generally used by golfer’s en path to Batam Hills, Inda Puri, and South Hyperlinks golf programs, it's operated by Batam Fast/Sindo ferry/Pacific. Open from 7 am to 7 pm, this seaport is 45 minutes from the airport and half-hour from Nagoya. Parking for cars and motorbikes can also be available.

Harbor Bay Seaport

This relatively new port in Jodoh is good for friends booked in any of the hotels in Nagoya, Batam like I-Hotel, Harmoni, Goodway, The Hills, Pacific Palace or Panorama Regency Hotel. It's the intended replacement for the old Batu Ampar ferry terminal, with trips from Harborfront in Singapore to this port only taking forty minutes. Because of its proximity to Nagoya, it has developed into one of the prime ports for travelers on holiday or business, particularly for those searching for some R&R at a spa after a long day's work. Operated by Wavemaster, it is open from 7 am to 8 pm and likewise provides parking.

Nongsapura Seaport
Only offering journeys to Singapore, ferries at this port mainly serve vacationers going to Palmspring Golf Resort, or other nearby resorts within the Turi Seaside or Batam View areas. Nevertheless, the Nongsapura ferries dock on the Tanah Merah Terminal in Singapore as an alternative of Harborfront. That makes this port the best arrival point for jet-setters - the Tanah Merah Terminal is only 10 minutes away from the Changi International Airport. Open 7 am to 7 pm.

Waterfront City Seaport

Like Nongsapura, this port only gives ferries to and from Singapore, servicing tourists going to nearby resorts just like the Holiday Inn and Harris resort. Principally surrounded by flats and resorts in Batam, Indonesia, it also provides parking area for passengers and is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

Read more »