| James Kon |
EFFORTS to promote Brunei Darussalam as a holiday destination are beginning to yield positive results, with data from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism showing that tourist arrivals had increased by 10 per cent towards the end of 2017, compared to 0.3 per cent in 2016.
Brunei’s achievements in the tourism sector were complimented by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, in his New Year’s Eve speech during the Appreciation Night for the Brunei December Festival 2017, at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.
Summarising some of the main initiatives of 2017, he said, “This year, the Brunei Tourism Board launched the Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer Heritage Trails.
“We also promoted the Tutong Destination Packages the Belait Destination Packages, and launched the Brunei Diving Packages.
“I am proud that we successfully organised a calendar filled with exciting events of every category, which included the Brunei Gastronomy Week, the Arts Affair and the Brunei December Festival which offers various events such as an International Food Festival and various religious, cultural and fun-filled activities.”
For 2018, the minister suggested for more signature and international-level events to attract visitors.
“Stay imaginative and creative for Brunei’s tourism industry,” he advised. The minister then paid tribute to the event organisers for the Brunei December Festival 2017, saying, “There are some events which are still ongoing until the middle of January 2018, such as the ‘Pameran Cinta dan Kenali Rasulullah SAW exhibition at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas, which is organised by Avertu Management Services; the Brunei Water Festival, organised by Heroes Event Management; the Photography Competition, organised by Politeknik Brunei; and the Brunei Salebration, organised by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE).”
The minister also underscored some of the recent attractions of the Brunei December Festival, highlighting the 2nd Green Jewel Night Run, organised by the CARE organisation, with more than 500 participants, including several runners from Norway, Columbia and Morocco.
“Around 50 international participants joined the Brunei Off Road Challenge organised by the Four Wheel Drive Association of Brunei Darussalam, with 43 international participants in the Temburong edition of the Mountain Trail Bike Challenge,” he said.
“An indigenous cultural performing artist, Matthew Doyle, was brought in by the Australian High Commission, to perform with our ethnic communities,” the minister added.
A renowned chef, William Wongso, was brought in by the Indonesian Embassy and The Rizqun International Hotel, during the ‘Magnificent Culinary of Indonesia’.
There were some participants from Asean for the Motorcross Challenge, organised by the United Youth Volunteer Movement (GPPS) in Tutong, well as the Tutong Boat Race at the ‘Pesta Santai’, organised by the Village Consultative Council (MPK) of Kampong Penabai in Kuala Tutong.
“There were several events that gained popularity and attracted huge crowds at the ‘Bangarku Ceria’, ‘Tutongku Ceria’, ‘KBku Ceria’ and ‘Bandarku Ceria’, such as archery organised by Ar-Rafi Archery; paintball shooting organised by the Royal Brunei Technical Services; and the Nyirik Culinary Challenge, organised by Eco Kampong and Eco Ponies; and where some cooking enthusiasts competed to show their cooking skills.”
The minister then presented certificates to strategic partners and event managers as a token of appreciation for their contributions to the success of the Brunei December Festival 2017.
Also present at the event was Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, the President of Alliance Française de Brunei; Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin, the Managing Director of Goh Hock Kee Motors Sdn Bhd; YB Haji Abdul Hamid @ Sabli bin Haji Arsad, in his capacity as the President of the Association of Travel Agents in Brunei; Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; Abdul Rani Siteh, the President of the Brunei Association of Hotels; and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Brunei.
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