Several facets of the local tourism scene are still in need of some improvement, said Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, while chairing the Brunei Tourism Board's inaugural meeting yesterday at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
The minister also voiced hope that the Brunei Tourism Board could be an efficient platform for a mutual exchange of ideas on ways to further develop packages with the potential to attract more tourists, in addition to providing quality services, comfort and safety to clients.
"These attributes can ensure that Brunei is a destination that is both attractive and competitive," he said.
He also urged travel agents, product suppliers and tourism service providers to pool their resources and work together to assist the government in presenting Brunei as a tourist destination that can offer a unique experience for both local and foreign visitors.
The purpose of the conference was to uphold the new Tourism Order of 2016, by the consent 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.
The Tourism Order of 2016 has already been in force since October 26 this year.
The establishment of the Brunei Tourism Board incorporates several primary objectives, including serving as a platform for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism to hold talks and discussions with the relevant ministries, hoteliers, transportation sector, travel and tourist guides, and catering businesses.
At the same time, the ministry has also identified three prime categories in the tourism industry - Prima, Emerging and Activity-based.
Places falling within the Prima category include the Ulu Temburong National Park, Kampong Ayer and mangrove forests along the Brunei River, as well as other venues of interest around Bandar Seri Begawan. Sites within the Emerging category include several places of leisure that can be elevated into the Prima category, such as the Serasa Beach, Seri Kenangan Beach, Berakas Forest Reserve and Sungai Basong.
Within the Activity-based category are leisurely activities and interests, such as scuba-diving, bird-watching, Islamic tourism, traditional medicine tourism, sports tourism, cruise ship tourism, educational tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conference, Exhibitions (MICE), adventure tourism and community-based tourism.
The last 12 months, with the involvement and participation of several ministries and relevant agencies, have seen various developments in the tourism sector that include easy accessibility and convenience for tourists from China, Taiwan, Russia and Turkey.
The Tourism Development Department has also launched a Temburong holiday package and a brochure for avid bird-watchers.
In addition, close collaboration with the Laksamana College of Business has made it possible for the Tourism Development Department to introduce a mandatory exercise for tourist drivers. The department has also produced a Request for Proposal to develop, administer, manage and organise a Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery in Kampong Lorong Sikuna.
Meanwhile, its mutual cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is embodied through the Heritage Hall in Bandar Seri Begawan. Early next year, the Tourism Development Department will utilise a section of the former Royal Wharf (now known as Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan) as a Tourist Information Centre. The department is also in cooperation with a magazine publisher from France, 'L'Essentiel', to promote Brunei as a tourist destination.
Another significant achievement by the Tourism Development Department is the preparation of the Tourism Strategic Planning with its core aim of expanding the volume of tourists into this country by air travel, from 218,000 in 2015 to 450,000 by 2020.
The members of the Brunei Tourism Board are the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism as the Chairman; Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism as the Deputy Chairman; Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs; Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications; Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria, the Director-General of the Public Works Department; Pengiran Dr Haji Mohd Khalifah bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, the Director-General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health; Karam Chand, the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines; Abdul Rani Siteh, the President of Brunei Association of Hotels; Haji Sabli bin Haji Arshad, the President of the Association of Travel Agents Brunei; and Hajah Nikmah binti Haji Ibrahim, the Representative Manager of Restaurants.
Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, currently holds the position of Secretary at the Brunei Tourism Board.
