Govt to step up tourism marketing

THE Brunei Tourism Board is poised to send marketing representatives to selected countries after getting the budget approved.

While the sum of the budget could not be disclosed, Chief Executive Officer of the Brunei Tourism Board Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed told The Brunei Times that it was "a lot".

"What this means is that I can go ahead and start looking for who to appoint as marketing representatives for Brunei Tourism in various targeted markets such as Shanghai, areas of the United Kingdom and Europe, Australia, China and (other countries) of the Asean region," he said on the sidelines of yesterday's National Tourism Organisations media briefing held at the Bridex Centre, Jerudong. He said that this could help contribute in helping Brunei achieve its target of attracting more tourists.

Sheikh Jamaluddin said while Brunei welcomes tourists, its priority is to maintain and preserve the heritage of the Sultanate while looking out for the best interest of the local population and local tour operators. "I want to make sure that our environment is protected because I believe that tourism is like a fire that can cook your food and keep you warm and comfortable, but it can also burn your house down," he said.

He added that Brunei by being a member of various international organisations, has had the privilege to access best tourism practices which can be adapted and learned by the Sultanate.

"I promise you, we know what we are doing ... I promise you, what we do is sustainable," he said.

"We want to maintain the image of Brunei that is a wholesome family destination. Those who want to enjoy a hectic nightlife ... I promise you there are many other places in Southeast Asia that they can go to," he added.

Sheikh Jamaluddin said Brunei's mindset can provide a positive feedback in promoting tourism as the Sultanate's well-preserved natural ecosystem is among its greatest strength.

"We have heard many positive feedback from tourists about our environment. The serenity, tranquillity, flora and fauna here is second to none because we do not promote logging in Brunei. We do not destroy our rainforests," he said.

He said plans to give Bandar Seri Begawan a face-lift will also embody this spirit.

"We have appointed and sat down with the consultant and told them of our intentions of making Bandar Seri Begawan into a city in the garden by making it more accessible and to make sure that there is more green in the city while utilising the river front," he said.

"The whole idea is to get others to a new destination and Brunei is one of these destinations that not many people know about," he said.

The Brunei Times