| Aziz Idris |
THE Temburong Tour package recorded remarkable growth, soaring nine per cent last year compared to the previous year, said Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.
The number of people who purchased the Temburong Tour Package increased to 12,797 in 2017 from 11,738 in 2016, he revealed.
However, tourism service providers and the community should not be complacent, he reminded during the launch of the Bangar Heritage Trail and Temburong Holiday Destination Package in a ceremony held in Bumiputera Complex, Pekan Bangar yesterday.
“All stakeholders should constantly evolve and be innovative with new product offerings to remain attractive, not only for those who visit Brunei for the first time but also repeat visitors,” the minister said.
“Other than attractive packages and offerings at the destination, it is also important to look at our connectivity and entry facilitation,” the minister said, while also thanking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Home Affairs for their support on visa facilitation given to some of Brunei’s key markets such as China and Russia.
He suggested travel agents to leverage on this facility and urged them to engage with relevant agencies to attract more charters to enter Brunei Darussalam, especially from cities like Beijing, Ningxia Xian, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo.
“Travel agents are key to bringing in tourists by actively promoting destination packages overseas as well as providing good quality tourism services,” the minister said, adding that these tour packages and services need to commensurate with the price paid by the tourists.
“It is essential that the local community also seizes the opportunity to produce and sell local products including handicraft to meet the changing market needs and consumers’ taste. These local product purchases are also part of the tourism experience,” he noted.
The promotion of the Temburong Holiday Destination Package is an initiative of the Tourism Development Department’s continuous efforts in showcasing exciting tour packages available in the country.
A total of 25 exhibitors, comprising tourism service providers as well as representatives of the local community were present at the event to showcase and promote their products as part of the latest Temburong Ho liday Destination Package.
The latest package consists of eight offerings – Temburong Adventure, Wira Hutan Trek, Sumbiling Special, Waterfall Experience, Nature Camping, Jungle Experience, Temburong Highlights and Temburong Leisure.
It is offered by Temburong-based operators such as Trandie, Borneo Guide (Hasa Incentives Sdn Bhd), Sunshine Borneo Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd, Freme Travel Services and AZ Back To Nature.
The tour operators also offer add-on options that include wall-climbing, tubing or kayaking along Temburong River, learning to cook the local delicacy bamboo chicken, a unique flora and fauna guided tour, jungle trekking to Bukit Patoi as well as a visit to the popular Sungai Apan waterfall. The tour packages are also designed for the more adventurous travellers who opt for activities such as flying fox (crossing Temburong River), rock climbing and abseiling at a customised multi-activity tower.
Last year, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Tourism Development Department introduced several holiday packages in Brunei Darussalam that include the Temburong Holiday Destination Package; Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer National Heritage Package; Brunei Diving Package; Tutong Destination Package and Belait Destination Package to provide a variety of offerings to travel agents, tourists as well as the locals.
The full list of tour packages can be found at www.bruneitourism.travel or at Brunei Tourism’s social media pages.
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