| Izah Azahari |
THE Brunei December Festival 2018 will return this year with over 45 events, as told during a press conference at the Atrium of Times Square Shopping Centre yesterday. Present at the press conference was the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism in his capacity as the Secretary of the Brunei Tourism Board, Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, who briefed the media on the events in December.
Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as well as the Ministry of Communications who also briefed the media on other activities.
In terms of attractive offers in support of the Brunei December Festival 2018, the media were briefed by the President of Travel Agents Brunei, the President of the Brunei Association of Hotel, and the Executive Director of Times Square Group of Companies.
The deputy permanent secretary in his opening speech said this is the second year Brunei Tourism Board will organise the event in collaboration with several stakeholders and strategic partners to bring together a number of events and activities organised by event managers to be held during December this year as it is a month-long school holiday season.
He said last year’s event attracted more than 40,000 visitors, both locally and internationally, with a total of 40 events held in all four districts, and this year will see over 45 events with some new events in line.
He explained a number of the events which will be included in five different festivals, such as the Food Festival where visitors can experience the wealthy gastronomy in the country; the Islamic Festival to celebrate the beauty, arts and culture of Islam through the ‘World Nasyeed Festival’; an E-Sports Tournament bringing the best gamers; the Brunei Water Festival which will be a pop-up playground catering to different age groups and features the longest water slide, carnival games, food and drink vendors; culture and creative events for people of all ages and interests such as the Film Blitz and an art exhibition titled Kasih Raja Kepada Rakyat held in conjunction with the 72nd birthday celebration of 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, and the Brunei December Festival; and sales events such as YES Letop, the Brunei Salebration and a photography competition.
“The reason why we are announcing the events early is because we want to create awareness and give airlines, restaurants, and retail companies opportunities to collaborate and create spin-off effects,” added the deputy permanent secretary.
He said the Brunei December Festival is also organised to coincide with the annual Brunei Salebration to encourage local residents to spend in the country which will spur domestic economy and increase business opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The list of events will be available on www.brunei.events and their social media pages. A guide for the Brunei December Festival 2018 will also be produced.
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