Web developer plans to sell Brunei eco-tourism online

A WEB developer wants to promote Brunei's eco-tourism to the world through his website.

Muhd Shavez Cheema, the co-developer of 1stopbrunei.com, a website that promotes Brunei's creative talents and local startups, is looking to attract tourists to the Sultanate through his 1stopbrunei brand, as he plans to expand his website next year.

According to Muhd Shavez, his website has already gained traction among websurfers, with an average of 500 visitors a day, and 13,000 views in just three months since it was launched. "It's really a milestone for us, because we have only just started in September. The next step for us now is to go beyond promoting local talents and businesses," he said.

Muhd Shavez, who is also an undergraduate from the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and keen on environmental conservation, said that eco-tourism is an area of interest that he would like his website to focus on, as he plans to collaborate with researchers in UBD, local NGOs and Tourism Brunei to conduct studies on eco conservation and identify available ecotourism services to be added into 1stopbrunei.com.

He added that he wants to upgrade the website into an informative portal to promote ecotourism in Brunei, with informative and interactive ecotourism-related articles, photos, videos and services.

"Ecotourism is a huge industry in countries like Malaysia. I believe Brunei can do the same. It's just that more marketing needs to be done, and I want my website to be a part of that."

He said that Brunei has its pristine forests and rich cultural heritage that can potentially attract tourists from all over the world.

Aimed at promoting the local creative industry, 1stopbrunei.com is the first of its kind in Brunei that provides a platform for artists to sell their artworks and local musicians and filmmakers to showcase their work.

Muhd Shavez said that the website has become a home for local talents in the local creative scene, with a number of musicians, dancers and filmmakers uploading their creative works into the site for its target audience.

The country's talents have been having difficulty getting exposure within Brunei and internationally, said Muhd Shavez.

"I want to help our local talents to shine, and I want to help the creative industry to grow in Brunei," said Muhd Shavez.

He also said that the website has also helped small businesses and startups thrive. Trading is actively being conducted in the "Buy and Sell" segment of the website where local artists put up their work. The Brunei Times