Sultanate has sports tourism potential
Boosting tourism industry: Jungle trekking, is one of the popular leisure activities in Brunei. It has the potential to be developed as a major attraction to tourists who enjoy outdoor activities. Picture: BT file photo
Friday, April 18, 2008
BRUNEI can venture into sports tourism as a possible niche to further develop its tourism industry, said the director general of the Commonwealth Tourism Centre.
"I believe Brunei Darussalam has good potential for sports tourism as the country boasts attractions such as the world-famous Ulu Temburong National Park and Selirong Island in Brunei Bay where visitors can go rainforest trekking to enjoy Brunei's exotic flora and fauna," said Abdul Rahman Shaari in a press release from the centre.
According to the director general of the centre, sports tourism encompasses the hosting of major sport events, as well as any travel where a major component of the itinerary involves watching, organising or participating in physical activities.
He said that nations and cities have been competing with each other in their bid to host major sporting events such as the Olympics, The Fifa World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. These events created great interest in the form of investments and other economic benefits to the countries which hosted them.
The area of tourism was one which was "slowly gaining momentum", according to Alex Rajakumar, the director of the Commonwealth Tourism Centre. He said that for larger countries, it was possible to host these major events, but for smaller nations such as Brunei, it may not be the case.
He advised Brunei to start off with their strongest features of sports tourism, preferably a sport event which was popular domestically.
Rajakumar spoke of an example in India, where locals participated in a buffalo racing event. Over time, news of the sport spread and eventually, foreign visitors from all over the world came to India to see or participate in the spectacle.
"It was a unique event (and) it caught people's attention," he said.
The director added that sports tourism was especially viable because it represented one of the most popular leisure pursuits.
Several upcoming events have been planned in Brunei, such as the Sixth Bimp-Eaga Friendship Games in November this year, the Borneo Games in 2009 and the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy.
Other areas such as jungle trekking and golf were also put forward as strong points which sports tourism could be developed upon in the sultanate. (ODM)
The Brunei Times
"I believe Brunei Darussalam has good potential for sports tourism as the country boasts attractions such as the world-famous Ulu Temburong National Park and Selirong Island in Brunei Bay where visitors can go rainforest trekking to enjoy Brunei's exotic flora and fauna," said Abdul Rahman Shaari in a press release from the centre.
According to the director general of the centre, sports tourism encompasses the hosting of major sport events, as well as any travel where a major component of the itinerary involves watching, organising or participating in physical activities.
He said that nations and cities have been competing with each other in their bid to host major sporting events such as the Olympics, The Fifa World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. These events created great interest in the form of investments and other economic benefits to the countries which hosted them.
The area of tourism was one which was "slowly gaining momentum", according to Alex Rajakumar, the director of the Commonwealth Tourism Centre. He said that for larger countries, it was possible to host these major events, but for smaller nations such as Brunei, it may not be the case.
He advised Brunei to start off with their strongest features of sports tourism, preferably a sport event which was popular domestically.
Rajakumar spoke of an example in India, where locals participated in a buffalo racing event. Over time, news of the sport spread and eventually, foreign visitors from all over the world came to India to see or participate in the spectacle.
"It was a unique event (and) it caught people's attention," he said.
The director added that sports tourism was especially viable because it represented one of the most popular leisure pursuits.
Several upcoming events have been planned in Brunei, such as the Sixth Bimp-Eaga Friendship Games in November this year, the Borneo Games in 2009 and the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy.
Other areas such as jungle trekking and golf were also put forward as strong points which sports tourism could be developed upon in the sultanate. (ODM)
The Brunei Times
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