Cheapest tours, hotels for dream holiday in Brunei

By Liza Mohd

Travelling has become a part of the Bruneian culture and to cater for that lifestyle, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and Abacus launched the 4th Annual Belait Travel Fair in OGDC Seria to give opportunities for locals to survey tour packages offered by local travel agents and plan for their dream vacation.

Abacus Brunei Sales and Marketing Manager Abd Halim bin Haji Abd Rahman said this year's travel fair promises to offer the cheapest travel deal in view of the announcement of reduction in RBA fuel surcharge as well as the lower price accommodation overseas as result of the global recession.

Abd Halim said the world financial crisis did impact the travel industry in Brunei but not to a large extent and the presence of low-cost carriers provides cheaper travel alternatives for locals.

"Apart from creating travel opportunities overseas, the travel fair also promotes Brunei popular attractions as part of the 'Kenali Negara Kitani' (KNK) by the Brunei Tourism representatives. The fair also gives opportunity for us to support the local tourism market and offer foreigners, particularly the expatriates community in Belait District, the beauty that Brunei has to offer," said Abd Halim.

Brunei Tourism representatives were seen distributing pamphlets and KNK Passport, illustrating the 10 Must-Do packages for 2009 in Brunei Darussalam' such as the overnight stay at Ulu Ulu resort and day trip adventure in Temburong; Sungai Brunei night safari; Sea Sports activities at the Empire Hotel and Country Club; Sailing; Proboscis Monkey Tour and the rural experience of staying in the longhouse at Ulu Melilas.

The travel fair which ends tonight gathered travel industry players such as RBA, national tourist offices and travel agents under one roof to promote and showcase their products.

It is expected to draw 3,000 visitors who will eyeing lucky draw grand prizes such as air tickets to Brisbane, Bangkok, Singapore, 50,000 Royal Skies air miles and travel insurance.

RBA Senior Vice President Commercial - Yield and Planning and Director of Abacus Brunei Captain Sheikh Rashid bin Sheikh Abdul Salam yesterday morning released balloons to mark the opening ceremony.

Abd Halim said the past three travel fairs conducted in Belait District since 2006 had been successful and he expressed confidence it will be a success again this year.

It has been the aim of the travel fair to provide a platform for our travel agents to acquire new customers and at the same time give an opportunity for residents in the Belait District to shop around and book a dream holiday from the best deals offered, he noted.

He said the travel fair will give opportunity for locals to beat the travel rush, particularly during the June school holidays, as advanced booking will ensure that they will get cheaper airfare and accommodation deals as well as ample time to plan ahead.

At the fair, the six Abacus-linked travel agents are using more than twelve Abacus computer reservation system terminals to make reservations during the two-day fair, he said. "This will assists them in providing necessary services such as booking and ticketing," Abd Halim said.

Tosed who made travel bookings at the fair are also entitle to a grand draw as well as a lucky draw for visitors and a Spin the Wheel game to win attractive prizes. A children's colouring, games, free ice-cream, face-painting activities were organised to enliven the fair.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
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