| Aziz Idris |
FREME Travel Services is proposing to set up a travel agent office at the Temburong Art and Culture Heritage Gallery located in the heart of Pekan Bangar.
This was revealed by Freme Managing Director, Michael Lee yesterday on the sidelines of the ‘Media Away Day’ held at Freme Adventure Park and Rainforest Lodge in Batang Duri, Temburong.
No specific dates were mentioned on its operations, however, the proposal will make Freme the sole travel agent to set up an office in Temburong and the only one to have an office in all four districts.
Lee was optimistic that the move will not only serve the local community but also potential customers in view of the completion of the Temburong Bridge in three years’ time.
He said that setting up the travel agent office will face challenges in this period of economic uncertainty, but he was confident that its presence in the district will boost customers’ confidence. In a way, we are telling the community that we are here to stay, he added.
He added that Freme has invested so much in Temburong, especially with the Freme Adventure Park and refurbished Rainforest Lodge which saw a surge of local visitors during the recent school holidays.
“From the positive feedback received, it is evident that the park’s new adventure course is playing a role in promoting Brunei as the region’s leading destination for nature, culture and adventure,” said Lee.
Freme Travel Services’ Managing Director, Michael Lee speaking with the media
One of the latest attractions at the park is the 12-metre Gibbon Climbing Tower which is the first of its kind in Brunei
A woman climbs at the Gibbon Climbing Tower. – PHOTOS: SYAHMI HASSAN
He was happy to note that more locals – just like foreign visitors – know about Temburong District. “Temburong is the gem of Brunei tourism, which is why inbound tourists are essential to uphold that title.”
One of the latest attractions at the park is the 12-metre Gibbon Climbing Tower which is the first of its kind in Brunei. The $98,000 facility is proving to be popular for team building activities, bird watching and other extreme sports challenges such as abseiling and wall climbing.
Other adventure courses include the 150-metre flying fox across the river, the 70-metre hanging bridge across a river, a 40-metre three-tier canopy platform for bird watching, night trails and upgraded lodge facilities which can now accommodate up to 40 people and a further 15 in camping tents.
Lee also puts an emphasis on safety at the park, whereby all adventure courses structures are designed and built according to ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) or European Norm standards.
“We will ensure that the environment and the welfare of our visitors are not compromised. We ensure that our operations do not have any adverse impact on the environment.”
He also said the lodge has a crisis management programme in place to handle unforeseen emergencies with a $10 million insurance coverage.
“Visitor traffic is expected to build up significantly when the proposed Temburong Bridge is completed in three years’ time. By then, visitors will have easier road access to the lodge,” he said before adding quickly that some visitors may still opt to travel there by boat for a more complete ‘Temburong experience’.
Pengiran Dato Sharifuddin bin Pengiran Metali, Executive Chairman of Freme Travel said in a statement, “We plan to step up promotions to showcase Temburong as the region’s top eco-tourism and adventure destination. With local support from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Government and the Tourism Development Department, we believe our efforts will bear fruit for Brunei’s tourism sector and economy.”
Freme will play host to the Freme 13th Travel Fair 2016 at the end of the month which will offer affordable holiday packages.
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