| Wani Roslan |
THE Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) has intensified efforts to develop and improve a slew of tourism products with the aim to post an average 15.6 per cent annual growth in tourist arrivals into the country.
The Temburong Holiday Package, which was launched in September this year, is one such product designed to realise this goal, said Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Speaking at the Tourist Guide Certificate Presentation Ceremony, held at Setia Pahlawan Hall of the MPRT yesterday, the minister revealed that the ministry, through the Tourism Development Department, is currently in the process of launching the Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer tourism packages by January 2017.
“In 2017, the ministry also plans to develop new tourism packages in Tutong and Belait districts, namely, the Sungai Basong and Pekan Tutong, Luagan Lalak and Bukit Teraja. And to complement the upgrading of the tourism packages, we are working closely with relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry, especially in the area of tourist guiding,” he said.
Brunei Darussalam recorded over 218,000 tourist arrivals through the Brunei International Airport in 2015, which is an increase of 8.6 per cent compared to 2014, the minister said, adding that the Sultanate aims to double this figure to 450,000 by 2020, registering an average 15.6 per cent growth per year.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism (L) presenting the certificate to one of the recipients. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
Training of tourist guides is aimed to ensure better quality of tour guiding, and the ministry has appointed Laksamana College of Business to conduct the training course for tourist guides on behalf of the ministry, he said.
“Through the training, these tourist guides will be able to improve their guiding skills and give accurate and reliable information on the places of interest, and upon completion of the training, they are also eligible to apply for the Tourist Guide Licence under a new legislation,” the minister added.
He then continued, “The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is determined to continue its efforts to further develop the tourism ecosystem, which include improvements in connectivity, services provided by travel agencies, provision of accommodation and food as well as legal and regulatory framework. These will not only increase the tourist arrivals and lengthen their duration of stay in Brunei Darussalam, but also raise the standards of tourism industry in the country.”
Through the Brunei Tourism Board, the MPRT will be working closely with main tourism stakeholders such as travel agencies, airlines, hotel associations, food and beverage establishments, government agencies and the public, and they will also function as a platform for dialogues to develop policy directives for the tourism industry, the minister said.
“It is our hope that the introduction of the new Tourism Order 2016 will promote better governance within the tourism industry and also serve as a new framework for the sustainability of the industry, and hence, will facilitate the realisation of our goals,” the minister added.
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