| James Kon |
OVER 264,000 passengers entered Brunei via the Serasa Ferry Terminal from 2014 and 2018, the Immigration and National Registration Department statistics revealed while Tourism Development Department statistics showed over 130,000 arrivals from cruises and ferries into Brunei Darussalam between 2014 and 2018.
These details were explained during the promotion ‘Discover Muara’ launch at the Cruise Ship Centre in Muara Port officiated by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong yesterday.
‘Discover Muara’ is a Tourism Development Department initiative to continue its promotional efforts to showcase places of interests and tour packages in the country.
The tour package aims to feature Serasa and Muara as hot spots and promote tours that will further attract local residents as well as international tourists to Pekan Muara.
The minister in his remarks before launching ‘Discover Muara’ said, “Every year an average of 15 cruise ships, bringing about 400 to 3,000 passengers on each cruise ship, arrives at Muara Port.
“In addition, annually on an average, over 60,000 foreign travellers from the eastern part of Malaysia such as Sabah and Labuan arrive by ferry at the Serasa ferry terminal. We hope the strategy of introducing more attractions near the cruise ship centre and ferry terminals will allow future passengers to enjoy their transit in Brunei.”
The minister describing Pekan Muara said, “It is unique and special as it has its own historical significance. It was once home to a lucrative coal mine called the Brooketon Colliery in the late 1800s until it was closed in 1924. Its success was responsible for the growth in transportation and infrastructure development within the area as well as the growing population of local miners and their families.”
Today, he said, “The tranquil beach town of Muara is a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. This is also the location of the Brunei Australia Memorial site in commemoration of ANZAC Day celebrated here annually on April 25. The Allied Forces led by the Australian 9th Division’s landing at Green Beach (the code name of Muara Beach) in 1945 marked the liberation of Borneo.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali added, “Beyond the historical landmarks in Muara, there are also jungle trekking for avid hikers to Bukit Tempayan Pisang. The trek up to the hill will reward hikers with a splendid view of the Brunei Bay, the Temburong Bridge which is under construction, Muara Port, Pulau Muara Besar and the residential area of Kampong Perpindahan Serasa. Along the way, visitors will be able to see two caves – Radat cave and Harimau Cave – both which have their own interesting legends which you must find out on your own as you take the time to explore.”
The minister hoped local travel agents can work closely with the Kg Kapok Village Consultative Council to promote Pekan Muara and to include activities such as cultural performances, handicraft and cooking demonstrations as well as guided tours to the sites in and around the village.
Other attractions mentioned by the minister were sunset or bicycle rides along Muara Beach, water sport adventures at Serasa beach and a visit to the Marine Biodiversity Centre to learn about the importance of environment conservation and local marine life.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali said the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism “is committed to ensure that the tourism service sector becomes one of the significant contributors to the development and growth of the country’s economy, particularly in the non-oil and gas sector. We are constantly engaging with our stakeholders such as travel agents, airlines, hotels, accommodation providers and the local community to actively work together to improve our services, quality and infrastructure and to work together towards potential public-private partnership opportunities.
“With the increase in airline connectivity by Royal Brunei Airlines to various countries in the region and more, there will be an increasing demand for local guides in the country, especially those with multi-lingual skills.
“Through the Tourism Development Department, we are currently working together with education institutions such as Laksamana College of Business (LCB) to deliver a series of training programmes this year for those interested to work as freelance tour guides and for those wanting to enhance their language diversity.”
Following the launch, the minister and invited guests toured the exhibitions showcasing tourism products for ‘Discover Muara’.
Members of the Legislative Council and Brunei Tourism Board, foreign dignitaries, senior government officials and guests were also at the event.