Batam tourism information explain the new single tariff of Visa on Arrival (VoA) is really affecting the visit in the regency. Now, it has only one tariff that is ‘not selling’ the tourism. Most tourists visit from Singapore and Malaysia, for about three day of stay, but the visa on arrival really be a burden on tourists’ budget.

Before January 26, 2010, the government of Indonesia provide two tariffs of Visa on Arrival which are US$ 10 for 7 days of stay, and US$ 25 for 30 days of stay. The new tariff is US$ 25 to stay in Batam whether for one day or thirty days of stay.
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Tourism Information explained the year of 2010 is the time to campaign the tourism of Batam. It is now the year of ‘Visit Batam’. 1,2 million of tourists are targeted to visit this island. Therefore, it seems hard to achieve.

Many tourists from China, Korea, Japan, and Europe drop in Batam during their holidays in Singapore. They stay for about 3 days or even only a few hours. Therefore, they should pay US$ 25 for the visa. It seems not fair for them.

Furthermore, the Information from the Tourism center says there are 38 tourists from India cancel the visit due to the new tariff of visa on arrival in Batam Indonesia. It is expected the government will give special regulation for the regency.
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Transportation is a mobility support for every people specifically the tourists. When visiting Batam Indonesia, tourists can use cheap transport like ojek (motorcycle taxi), Passenger vans or mikrolet (know as Metro Trans by the locals), bus, and pancung (boat). The other transport is taxi. Taxi in this town is different as it has not the meter to count the cost.

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When traveling using taxi, you have to bargain for the cost. Tip for any passenger is to bargain the half price the driver ask. When the deal is achieved, passenger may travel by that taxi, but if not, try to find another taxi.

Ojek photo by joyirman

Going by ojek in Batam is also a good alternative. It is cheap, but it’s suggested to bargain the charge a little bit lower. By using Ojek, the passenger can stop anywhere he likes to visit tourism place, take photographs, or by drink and meals. Knowing the schedule of event would make the trip focused. The passenger should wear helmet for safety.
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Island hoping is interesting activity in Batam Indonesia. To make it, there are so many boat which have regular schedule from an island to the other. The boat that is called Pancung is the local’s favorite transport to visit their family who lives in the other islands.

Batam Indonesia is seriously market its tourism to the world. In the year of 2010, several international events are held in this city in the land and in the water. Well, let’s check out the calendar of event or the schedule.

Strait Regatta
23 January 2010 – 30 January 2010
Venue Nongsa Point Marina
An international event of sailboat race or Yacht. Many contestants from the US, UK, Australia and many more are join this race.

Lions club Charity Golf Tournament
31 January 2010 – 31 January 2010
Venue Palm Spring Golf Resort
Golf tournament for charity that is expected international golf athletes will join it. The charity is purposed to help others.

Wedding Expo
18 February 2010 – 28 February 2010
Venue Nagoya Hill – Nagoya
Wedding exhibition that covers all equipment wedding and dresses.
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Cap Go Meh Celebration
28 February 2010 – 28 February 2010
Vihara Dutamaitreya
In Batam Indonesia there are many Chinese ethnic that celebrate its new year. There will be China paper lantern, and Barongsay show.

Batam Cruise Festival
02 April 2010 – 04 April 2010
Venue Nongsa Point Marina

Asia Pacific Volley Ball Championship
20 April 2010 – 25 April 2010
Venue Nongsa Point Marina

Asian Golf Charity
24 April 2010 – 25 April 2010
Venue Batam Golf Club

Batam is the Indonesia closest island to Singapore. The distance between those two cities is only 20 miles which is only 40 minutes trip by ferry. The city is becoming tourism destination since it has many interesting objects from just shopping to enjoy the beaches.

Kampung Nongsa Beach Batam

The attractions in the Kampung Nongsa Beach except the beach itself is the traditional village of the Malay people. Here, we may observe the life of the villagers to know further the way they interact, working, and see the culture.

The beach is located between Nongsa Marina and Batam View, about 60 minutes travel from Nagoya. From the Hang Nadim airport, it is about 20 minutes by taxi or minibus to Nongsa.

Marina Beach Batam

Marina beach is located at Tanjung Riau – Sekupang. The area is built in beach town design which is called water front city. The attraction in the beach are Banana boat, Boat, Para-sailing, Jet sky, etc. there is an international port, so that visiting this place directly from Singapore is possible.
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Melur Beach

This beach is belong to Galang island Batam Indonesia. Many people have visited this beach not only to enjoy the beatiful view but also to see the Vietnamese camp and the panorama at the Tuanku Tambusai bridge. The white sand in the beaches is the perfect place for sun-bathing while the water for swimming and sailing. To reach it, we may drive via trans Berelang for about 75 minutes from Nagoya.

Panau Beach

This tourism object has a beautiful sea panorama and traditional village of the Malay (kampung melayu). At the the season of the southern ocean wind, the waves are large categorized. The tourist may do maritim activities such as swimming, sailboat races, jet sky and parasailing.

The potential tourism object located between the Telaga Pungkur port and Kabil Industrial Estate (Asia Port) that can be reached from Nagoya for 60 minutes, Nongsa Pura Port for 30 minutes, and Hang Nadim Airport for 10-20 minutes.