Fishing Tourism In Batam Lures Many Tourists

Batam, Riau Islands, June 25 (Antara) - Many foreign tourists as well as domestic ones have enjoyed fishing tourism provided here or near the international waters, a businessman said. "Foreign and domestic tourists normally prefer fishing at the international waters," said Abas, one of organizers of wooden made boats business at Nongsa Beach here on Monday. According to him, dozens of foreign tourists from Singapore every week rented boats for fishing at northern waters of Batam Island that shares border with Singapore. Most of the foreign tourists spent their time in resorts which are located at the northern beach of the Batam Island, Abas said. "They don`t like fishing far away, perhaps they are still learning how to fish well," Abas noted, adding that the domestic tourists come to fish in Batam from several parts of the country. Meanwhile, head of Batam tourist office, Yusfa Hendri said that marine tourism is one of nine main tourism aspects promoted in Batam. In addition, the city administration has also offered ocean sports such as banana boat, jet ski and snorkeling. Coral reefs in Pulau Abang waters is one of the 23 national main marine tourist objects as that in Bunaken, North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat in Papua.