Up to 365 tourists flocked to Batam on Sept. 30 to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival held at Batam View Beach Resort.

In addition to Chinese Indonesians, the visitors reportedly hailed from neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. Some spent three days and two nights at the resort and some opted to enjoy a two-day and one-night trip to celebrate the event.

“Hotels around Nongsa are fully booked. There are plenty of Singaporeans, expats and permanent residents of Singapore and Malaysia who want to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Lantern in Nongsa, Batam,” said Batam View Beach Resort general manager Anddy Fong.

Officially held on Oct. 4, the festival is said to be the second most important celebration after imlek (Spring Festival) for the Chinese people who came to meet with fellow Chinese descents from Singapore and Malaysia as well as enjoying moon cakes.

Read also: Discovering the other side of Krabi in Koh Klang

The event was filled with plenty of interesting activities, such as interactive talk show, comedy show, traditional Javanese gamelan performance, fireworks and performances from Singaporean and Malaysian entertainers.

“During the finale there was a lantern-release attraction at the Batam View Beach Resort, which symbolizes hopes and prayers for themselves and their loved ones,” said Tourism Ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy Esthy Reko Astuti.

The festival also hosted a fundraising event for the less-fortunate people of Batam.

In the afternoon prior to the main event, tourists were seen hunting for food and shop around the Nagoya area. 

Each tourist is estimated to have spent S$200 (US$147) per day during the festival. (kes)

Popular

Kadin urges stability after Constitutional Court ruling

Jokowi says transition to new government to begi

BCA loan disbursement surges 17.1 percent yoy in first quarter