Taman Megawisata Ocarina director Dewi Koriati said that tour operators on the island should be able to draw casino visitors’ attention to Batam, given its proximity of only one hour ferry trip.

Batam, she said, could serve as an alternative place for the tourists visiting the neighboring city state.
“The newly opened casino does not have to negatively affect Batam’s tourism industry,” she told The Jakarta Post.

“The potential is quite substantial and we must capitalize on this together.”

Dewi said that tour industry players in Batam and the government should see that the casino in Singapore could benefit Batam’s tourism industry.

“We must be on the ball. Tour operators in Riau Islands in general and Batam in particular could work together to conduct promotional campaigns in Singapore to inform prospective visitors so they would eventually visit Batam.”

In the eyes of tourists, she said that Batam was famous for its various attractions.

Dewi said the island was popular for its culinary tours, natural and historical expeditions and different places of worship, which were particularly sought after among visiting foreign and local tourists.

“Tourists will not come from the casino to Batam just like that. We must lead them here.”

Most of the 1.5 million tourists visiting Riau Islands province annually come from Singapore and
Malaysia.

Only a small number of tourists are from Korea, Japan, Taiwan and India.

Senior member of the Batam chapter Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association, Anas, said the Resort World Sentosa tourist center and casino, which opened on Feb. 14 had yet to significantly impact on the tourism industry in Batam and other areas in Riau Islands.

However, Anas predicted that in the next two years, the place would become one of the main factors to boost Batam’s tourism industry.

“The proximity with Singapore will bring positive impacts to us.

We hope the tourists from Singapore will also visit Batam,” said Anas, who also owns Novotel Batam hotel.

“The present tourist arrivals rate to Batam has further dropped from year to year. We are concerned by the matter.”

Anas said the tourism industry had failed to improve significantly due to weak management by the local administration in maintaining a high-class tourism image.

He said the local administration has so far not been selective in issuing tourism permits, such as allowing hotels to be set up in shop-houses.

“A well-off foreign tourist would not stay in a hotel if it was not exclusive and professionally run,”
Anas said.

“We must improve the tourism industry because there are a lot of opportunities but they have eluded us just like that.”

Most of the 1.5 million tourists visiting Riau Islands province annually come from Singapore and
Malaysia.

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