Karaoke businesses boom in Medan

Karaoke businesses boom in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Karaoke singing halls scattered across the North Sumatra provincial capital of Medan have, in the past two years, brightened up the city's nightlife and provided its residents with a chance to develop their talent and sing out loud, a report said.

Hadi, a local singing hall owner, said on Tuesday that karaoke businesses had flourished in the city despite the relatively costly investment involved.

Data from the local tourist office reveals that the third- largest city in Indonesia has more karaoke spots in shopping centers and star-rated hotels than in pubs and discotheques.

Ariel Saleh, a business manager, said the mushrooming of karaoke, which literally means "empty orchestra" in Japanese, had not made a lot of financial contribution to the city's coffers but had nevertheless provided employment for its residents. --Antara