Brunei woos Aussie, Kiwi tourists
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
THE sultanate may soon see a boost in visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand, if initial impressions of a group of representative from Australian travel agencies are any indication.
Thirty-one top achievers from Australia's travel agencies are currently in Brunei Darussalam to gain first hand experience of the sultanate and later to promote it back home. Already, they are pleased with what they have seen.
"We are really impressed with Brunei," said one of the travel agents, noting in particular the deluxe facilities and luxury provided by The Empire Hotel and Country Club, where they are being hosted.
The group, who arrived on May 7, visited popular tourist attractions in the sultanate which includes the capital and Kampong Ayer (water village).
According to local tourism expert, Jean Christophe Robles Espinosa from the Brunei Tourism Board, last year a total of 18,000 visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand was recorded.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, the official also related that 'visitor exports' (all goods and services sold to non-residents) as a result of these visitors amounted to $384 million.
When asked about the Australian delegation, Espinosa said that the familiarisation trip is aimed to allow Australia's travel agent representatives to see and experience the essence of Brunei's tourism product, as they are the people involved in selling the region to potential clients.
Noting that Australia is a large potential market, Espinosa expressed his hope that through the familiarisation visit, more Australian visitors will be encouraged to stay longer in the sultanate, from the usual short period or 'stop over' stays. "Brunei has a lot to offer (to these travellers)," he said.
The 31 delegates were from Australia's travel agencies which include, Travelscene Executive Travel, Group Travel Associates, Flight Centre Redcliffe, Flight Centre Runaway Bay, Harvey World Toowoomba, Flight Centre Tweed City, Harvey World Travel Nambour, Flight Centre Ballina, Flight Centre Browns Plains, and the world's largest student and youth travel company STA Travel Brisbane.
They were led by Gwenda Zappala, Australian representative from Sabah Tourism Board and Marrisa McDonald, Sales Representative from Royal Brunei Airlines in Australia.
The Brunei Times
Thirty-one top achievers from Australia's travel agencies are currently in Brunei Darussalam to gain first hand experience of the sultanate and later to promote it back home. Already, they are pleased with what they have seen.
"We are really impressed with Brunei," said one of the travel agents, noting in particular the deluxe facilities and luxury provided by The Empire Hotel and Country Club, where they are being hosted.
The group, who arrived on May 7, visited popular tourist attractions in the sultanate which includes the capital and Kampong Ayer (water village).
According to local tourism expert, Jean Christophe Robles Espinosa from the Brunei Tourism Board, last year a total of 18,000 visitor arrivals from Australia and New Zealand was recorded.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, the official also related that 'visitor exports' (all goods and services sold to non-residents) as a result of these visitors amounted to $384 million.
When asked about the Australian delegation, Espinosa said that the familiarisation trip is aimed to allow Australia's travel agent representatives to see and experience the essence of Brunei's tourism product, as they are the people involved in selling the region to potential clients.
Noting that Australia is a large potential market, Espinosa expressed his hope that through the familiarisation visit, more Australian visitors will be encouraged to stay longer in the sultanate, from the usual short period or 'stop over' stays. "Brunei has a lot to offer (to these travellers)," he said.
The 31 delegates were from Australia's travel agencies which include, Travelscene Executive Travel, Group Travel Associates, Flight Centre Redcliffe, Flight Centre Runaway Bay, Harvey World Toowoomba, Flight Centre Tweed City, Harvey World Travel Nambour, Flight Centre Ballina, Flight Centre Browns Plains, and the world's largest student and youth travel company STA Travel Brisbane.
They were led by Gwenda Zappala, Australian representative from Sabah Tourism Board and Marrisa McDonald, Sales Representative from Royal Brunei Airlines in Australia.
The Brunei Times
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