THE total number of international tourist arrivals to Brunei Darussalam through the Brunei International Airport reached 52,292 in the second quarter of 2016 (Q2 2016) compared to 55,647 in Q2 2015.
In terms of percentage growth, Q2 2016 has continued to show positive growth from the Far East Region with an increase of 8.9 per cent year on year (y-o-y) from the previous quarter at 8.3 per cent (y-o-y) with China and Japan both contributing significantly at 8.0 per cent (y-o-y).
The increase can be attributed to the ease of visa requirements for the visitors from China and high Japanese currency rate which has influenced travel demand from Japan for the month of April to June 2016, according to a statement issued by the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
“This increase was despite the decline of the total air arrivals for Q2 2016 of 6.0 per cent (y-o-y) from the previous quarter of the same period for 2015 and 2016. This was mainly due to the persistent declining trend in travel demand, high competitiveness from other countries within the region, and negative growth from the main source markets comprising Australia/ New Zealand markets which have decreased to 26.6 per cent (y-o-y), followed by Long Haul market at 15.0 per cent (y-o-y) and Asean market at 9.5 per cent (y-o-y).”
The top five countries for tourist arrivals in Q2 2016 was Malaysia due to its easy air accessibility and proximity with 25.0 per cent (26.5 per cent in Q2 2015), followed by China at 18.3 per cent (15.9 per cent in Q2 2015), Indonesia at 9.5 per cent (8.9 per cent in Q2 2015), Philippines at 8.7 per cent (9.8 per cent in Q2 2015) and Singapore at 6.8 per cent (7.6 per cent in Q2 2015).
In total, the top five countries have contributed the majority portion of international tourist arrivals into the country for Q2 2016 at 68.2 per cent.
This file photo shows the Brunei International Airport. – AZROL AZMI
The main source market for Q2 2016 was Asean region at 54.9 per cent (57.0 per cent in Q2 2015), followed by Far East region at 23.1 per cent (19.9 per cent in Q2 2015), Long Haul market such as Europe and Middle East at 9.9 per cent (10.9 per cent in Q2 2015) and both Australia and New Zealand markets contributed at 4.0 per cent (5.1 per cent in Q2 2015).
The statement said the main purpose of visit to Brunei Darussalam is for leisure and holiday at 41.9 per cent (38.8 per cent in Q2 2015). About 18.4 per cent of tourists travel for business (19.6 per cent in Q2 2015), visiting friends and relatives (VFR) at 11.6 per cent (12.2 per cent in Q2 2015), in transit at 11.0 per cent (11.7 per cent in Q2 2015), government purposes at 2.6 per cent (3.4 per cent in Q2 2015), exhibition at 0.8 per cent (0.9 per cent in Q2 2015), others at 13.3 percent (9.9 per cent in Q2 2015) and not specified at 0.4 per cent (3.6 per cent in Q2 2015).
China and Malaysia remained as the main contributors for the leisure and holiday market at 57.3 per cent for Q2 2016 with each comprised of 39.1 per cent and 18.2 per cent respectively.
The average length of stay for hotels in Q2 2016 was 2.0 days compared to 2.2 days over the same period from last year. Whereas, the average hotel occupancy rate for Q2 2016 was 34.4 per cent compared to 38.62 per cent in Q2 2015.
For accommodation in Q2 2016, there are a total of 84 establishments ranging from luxury resorts (for example The Empire Hotel & Country Club), international standard hotel (for example Radisson Hotel); business standards; budget; lodgings; apartments, guest houses and homestays.
The total number of hotels, resort and apartments are 50, followed by homestays at 17, guest houses and rest houses at 15 and government guest houses at two. Meanwhile, the total number of rooms and beds available were 4,319 rooms and 6,057 beds.
In Q2 2015, the total number of establishments was recorded at 71, followed by 3,649 rooms and 5,184 beds available from the same categories of accommodations.
For Q2 2016, the total number of registered travel agents under the Tourism Development Department was 60 establishments compared to 57 establishments over the same period from last year. All travel agents are based on inbound and outbound travel.
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