New Brunei Tourism Promotions

Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed

Brunei Tourism has lined up some 69 projects from this year – including strategic marketing tie-ups with the trade and the introduction of new attractions and tour packages – even as its long-serving chief, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed prepares for his swansong.

Four new ecotourism resorts, five detox spas, a reinvented diving package that offers shipwreck exploration and farmstays will be rolled out progressively. Also on offer is a three-night Islamic heritage tour package that showcases the sultan’s collection of miniature Quran, 300 rare mushaf or religious scrolls, and 60 kinds of prayer beads among other treasures.

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Brunei, a popular destination for golf enthusiasts and the host of major tournaments including the Brunei Open and Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters, will also court new professional golf tournaments, said Brunei Tourism CEO, Sheikh Jamaluddin, who will be retiring in 2013.

He also revealed that a joint marketing campaign with AirAsia was being developed. The LCC has twice-weekly flights linking Kuala Lumpur and Brunei.

Although air links to Brunei suffered a setback with flag carrier Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) withdrawing flights from East Malaysia’s Kuching last August and Australia and New Zealand last October, Sheikh Jamaluddin said the destination still has good partnerships with other feeder airlines.

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Japan would also join Brunei Tourism’s list of target source markets should RBA commence flights to Tokyo, as there has been talk of new services between the two countries, said Sheikh Jamaluddin.

He added that the NTO would focus on the China, Hong Kong and Singapore markets for growth, cheekily pointing out that the destination’s competitive advantage was that it offered an escape “from urban jungle to real jungle”.

Arrivals are targeted to grow by 15 per cent this year, up from 209,720 in 2011.