Saturday, June 03, 2006

Visit Brunei Year 2008 - Gearing to boost tourism

By P Marilyn

It's all systems go to ensure a successful "Visit Brunei Year 2008".

And one of the objectives towards planning and preparing to reap the benefits of such a success is the launching of Brunei Tourism Initiative "Kenali Negara Kitani" campaign that will necessarily boost domestic tourism. Dato Paduka Haji Hamdilah bin Haji Abd Wahab, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and also Chairman of Brunei Tourism Board and Chairman of Jerambak Holding Pte Ltd the invited guest of honour made this observation during the launch of the "Kenali Negara Kitani" campaign on the occasion of the 3rd Abacus Holiday and Travel Fair held at the Mall, yesterday.

"Kenali Negara Kitani campaign is a timely and important initiative as it capitalises on the abundance of exciting activities spearheaded by National Organising Committee led by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Haji Adanan Bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yussof to celebrate His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 60th Birthday celebrations," commented Dato Hamdilah in his speech.

He also mentioned several objectives aimed at ensuring a successful Visit Brunei Year 2008.

These include plans to increase tourist arrivals at a minimum of 7% per annum and to increase hotel occupancy rate to 50-60% by 2008; to have more MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibitions) organised in Brunei such as the recently launched 3rd Abacus Holiday and Travel Fair, to launch Brunei's commitment to The Green Heart of Borneo Project in 2006, thus paving the way for a more energetic eco-tourism industry in the country, to have the new Cultural Village completed and in operation by the end of 2007 and to routinely organise and facilitate tourism events annually and to capitalise on those organised by other stakeholders.

The 2006 Calendar of Events are great examples of the "synergy at work".

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend

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