| Aziz Idris |
THE Asean Community-Based Tourism (CBT) programme was launched on Wednesday at the Seri Tanjung Homestay in Kampong Sungai Bunga, which saw the participation of 20 university students from Asean member countries and South Korea.
The programme was organised by the Asean-Korea Centre, an intergovernmental organisation mandated to promote economic and socio-cultural cooperation between Asean member states and South Korea, together with the collaboration with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT).
Officiating at the launch was Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, the Permanent Secretary at the MPRT.
Also present was Kim Young-sun, the Secretary-General of the Asean-Korea Centre; and Cho Won-myung, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam.
Bearing the theme of ‘Youth Fostering Sustainable Tourism Development in Brunei’, the week-long programme will involve the participants in hands-on cultural experiences and activities, including volunteering work for tree-planting and conservation, together with exploring the pristine nature of the Ulu Temburong National Park.
The participants will also be given assignments and present their findings, which include giving suggestions on how to improve the CBT programme in Brunei.
In a speech delivered by Dr Haji Abdul Manaf, he expressed the hope that the programme would promote more interaction between the young participants and their host families.
Kim Young-sun, the Secretary-General of the Asean-Korea Centre, speaking during the event
Students from Asean member countries and South Korea pose for a photo
“I expect the participants – the students and their hosts – to experience each other’s culture and way of life, to encourage new ideas and innovations.
“This should motivate a better understanding towards other cultures, and also towards the preservation of the indigenous way of life and the environment.”
He also hoped that the programme’s success would encourage the participation of tourism stakeholders through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), for the development of the local tourist industry.
“We also would like to see international and regional organisations, like the Asean-Korea Centre, to be involved in terms of providing advice and expertise in the development of the tourism sectors in Brunei Darussalam,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kim Young-sun hoped that the programme would enable the students to experience Bruneian culture and traditions, while developing creative ideas for sustainable tourism development.
“From this valuable expe-rience, the youths will come up with new and creative ideas for sustainable tourism development in Brunei and all Asean members countries,” he said.
“Their new and bright ideas will make great contributions to environmental and cultural sustainability among the local communities, as well as enhancing the experience of eco-tourism.”
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