Foreign tourists book out Batam

BATAM, Riau: Foreign holidaymakers have reserved between 40 to 80 percent of hotel rooms on Batam island for the Christmas and New Year holidays, hotel managers said yesterday.

The holidaymakers are mainly from Singapore, which is only 20 kilometers from the fast developing island. Others are from Malaysia and Taiwan.

Director of Puri Garden Hotel, Robin Hartono, told Antara that up 80 percent of the hotel's rooms had been reserved as of yesterday.

"We expect this year's rate of occupancy will be higher than that of last year's," he said.

Officials of the four star hotel Melia Panorama said 40 percent of their 140 rooms had been booked. (pan)