| James Kon |
CHINESE tourists are important for Brunei Darussalam and the increase in direct flights as well as tourists arrivals, will spur local employment opportunities in the tourism sector, said Salinah binti Salleh, Acting Director of the Tourism Development Department.
She made these comments during an interview at the Brunei International Airport yesterday to welcome the first Lucky Air’s flight from Kunming to Brunei.
Some 160 Chinese tourists arrived on board the inaugural flight supported by local travel agents – BonAsia Holiday travel agency, Freme Travel Services, Anthony Tours and Travel Agency and PJ Majestic Tours and Travel.
The Chinese tourists were welcomed to the sounds of the Hadrah.
Salinah said with the increase in Chinese tourists, the demand for Chinese speaking tour guides will also increase creating employment opportunities.
She said; “Based on Tourism Development Department statistics provided following studies conducted by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS) earlier this year, tourism revenue in 2106 generated by the China market was estimated at B$6,451,178.86 with an average stay of 2.8 days.
The spending power of Chinese tourists can also help contribute to the economy and businesses in the country.”
The increase in Chinese tourist arrivals can help achieve the ministry’s target of 450,000 tourist arrivals by 2020, Salinah said.
She said with flights under Lucky Air, “we hope that there will be a steady flow of Chinese tourists into the country.”
She welcomed the efforts of local travel agents who helped promote Brunei Darussalam as a top tourist destination in the region.
Caroline Ang, Executive Director of BonAsia Holiday Management Services in a statement said; “The guests will stay in Brunei for five days and four nights. The hotel accommodation, transport, tourist attractions and catering are operated and arranged by us – BonAsia Holidays Management Services. As one of the travel agencies in Brunei, we aim to become an excellent quality tourism enterprise, shape the boutique corporate image by creating a sincere and enjoyable travel experience to our guests.”
As one of the four founding members of the U-FLY Alliance, Hainan Airline Group subordinate airline – Lucky Air continues to aggressively expand its network in the region by launching a new route connecting Kunming to Brunei, further strengthening its vast network to Asia in response to the ‘One Belt, One Road’, initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping to build trade routes between China and countries in numerous regions including Asean.
Lucky Air is using its Airbus A320 aircraft to fly to Brunei twice a week, every Tuesday and Saturday.