Singapore has remained the largest contributor of tourists to Batam for years.Batam, Riau Island (ANTARA News) - Around 57.87 percent of foreign tourists visiting Batam city in 2011 came from Singapore.
"The majority of foreign tourists in Batam are from Singapore, up to more than 57 percent," Head of the Batam tourism office Yusfa Hendri said here Monday.
Singapore has remained the largest contributor of tourists to Batam for years, he said.
After Singapore, Malaysia was in second place contributing 13 percent and South Korea around 5 percent.
Also in the group of ten top countries contributing tourists to Batam were India, the Philippines, Japan, China, England, the United States and Australia.
Most of the tourists entered Batam through Singapore, because Batam has only one direct flight overseas, namely to Malaysia.
The Batam tourism and culture office had recorded an increase of 4.03 percent in foreign tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.
"In the first quarter of 2010, there were around 2,400 foreign tourists, and this year about 2,500," Yusfa said.
During 2011, Batam had scheduled to hold various activities such as Batam Great Sale (BGS), Melayu Art Celebration, Sea Eagle Boat Festival and Fire Works Festival, to attract tourists.
(f001/A/HAJM)
(ANTARA)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
