Promote Brunei as a unique destination
Unique: Brunei should capitalise on its unique cultural and historical heritage, and pristine environment to draw more tourists into the country. Picture: BT File Photo
Saturday, December 8, 2007
BRUNEI'S entry into the United Nations World Tourism Organisation would give it more exposurein the global tourism industry, but it needs to market itself as a unique destination to attract more tourists.
Foo C.P, general manager of Century Travel Centre, said that becoming a member of the organisation would put Brunei's tourism sector on the world map, but has doubts whether it would bring in more tourists to the country.
"Brunei has to come up with something different for it to stand out from other countries," he said.
He said that there are more pros than cons in joining the world tourism body, because it would mean that Brunei needs to be more competitive with other well-established tourist destinations, including Singapore and Thailand in the region.
"What other countries have, we need to have, what other countries don't have, we need to have as well, because we need to be different," he said, adding that Brunei needs to study its pricing and facilities for incoming tourists.
World tourism is "forever changing", thus there is a need to constantly update the tourist destinations, including the facilities at Jerudong Park, he said.
He added that better access is also needed for foreign tourists to visit the country, because Brunei has a limited number of airlines coming into the country.
Currently, about five airlines fly into the country, including its national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines.
Foo also remarked that Brunei's entry into the world tourism body could attributed to the climate change issues associated with the tourism sector. "There is pressure on Brunei to be environmentally-friendly and it has to be aware of protecting its rainforests," he said.
Alex Riva, general manager of Sheraton Utama Hotel, said that Brunei is on the right track to establish its presence overseas. "This is a good and strong message that Brunei is serious about promoting its tourism industry," he said about Brunei's entry into the World Tourism Organisation.
However, merely becoming a member is not enough, because it has to build on that momentum and start coming up with steps to realise its potential as a tourist destination, he added. Riva is also optimistic that Brunei can handle more tourists , but it has to be patient because good results do not come immediately.
After having been in the country for five months, the Swiss Italian agreed with Foo that Brunei needs to focus on attractions that other countries do not possess, such as the pristine rainforests in Temburong.
"Don't talk about what we have, but what is unique in Brunei, such as its cultural and historical heritage," he said.
Brunei joined as a member of the World Tourism Organisation during its 17th general assembly in Colombia last month.
The Brunei Times
Foo C.P, general manager of Century Travel Centre, said that becoming a member of the organisation would put Brunei's tourism sector on the world map, but has doubts whether it would bring in more tourists to the country.
"Brunei has to come up with something different for it to stand out from other countries," he said.
He said that there are more pros than cons in joining the world tourism body, because it would mean that Brunei needs to be more competitive with other well-established tourist destinations, including Singapore and Thailand in the region.
"What other countries have, we need to have, what other countries don't have, we need to have as well, because we need to be different," he said, adding that Brunei needs to study its pricing and facilities for incoming tourists.
World tourism is "forever changing", thus there is a need to constantly update the tourist destinations, including the facilities at Jerudong Park, he said.
He added that better access is also needed for foreign tourists to visit the country, because Brunei has a limited number of airlines coming into the country.
Currently, about five airlines fly into the country, including its national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines.
Foo also remarked that Brunei's entry into the world tourism body could attributed to the climate change issues associated with the tourism sector. "There is pressure on Brunei to be environmentally-friendly and it has to be aware of protecting its rainforests," he said.
Alex Riva, general manager of Sheraton Utama Hotel, said that Brunei is on the right track to establish its presence overseas. "This is a good and strong message that Brunei is serious about promoting its tourism industry," he said about Brunei's entry into the World Tourism Organisation.
However, merely becoming a member is not enough, because it has to build on that momentum and start coming up with steps to realise its potential as a tourist destination, he added. Riva is also optimistic that Brunei can handle more tourists , but it has to be patient because good results do not come immediately.
After having been in the country for five months, the Swiss Italian agreed with Foo that Brunei needs to focus on attractions that other countries do not possess, such as the pristine rainforests in Temburong.
"Don't talk about what we have, but what is unique in Brunei, such as its cultural and historical heritage," he said.
Brunei joined as a member of the World Tourism Organisation during its 17th general assembly in Colombia last month.
The Brunei Times
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