The number of domestic visitors who have booked the Kenali Negara Kitani (KNK) packages increased significantly, with 12,720 visitors in 2023 compared to 6,255 in 2022, said Acting Director of the Tourism Development Department at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Salinah binti Haji Mohd Salleh.
She said this while delivering welcoming remarks for the launch of Brunei Coffee Trail yesterday at The Mall, Gadong, in conjunction with the KNK Carnival 2024, which runs until Sunday.
The acting director added that the increase in KNK package bookings has contributed approximately BND2 million in 2023, an increase from the BND567,000 generated in 2022.
“The number of staycations among locals has also risen annually, with 295,437 people staying in local hotels in 2023, an increase from the total of 293,432 in 2022,” Salinah said.
She also said that in recent years, “the Sultanate’s coffee scene has shown positive development, not only due to the increasing number of cafes, but also the active involvement of youth in the ‘art of coffee brewing’, as well as the organisation of events and activities that highlight the coffee brewing culture in the country”.
The carnival, the fourth being organised by the department since KNK’s rebranding in 2022, not only serves as a platform to promote domestic tourism packages offered by travel agents, hotels and tourism service providers, but also serves as a medium to enhance public knowledge on tourist spots available in the country through interactive activities.
The carnival, organised by the Tourism Development Department with support from the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) through Darussalam Enterprise (DARe), features 30 participating agencies and companies, where the public can join in various activities such as scuba diving workshops, interactive quizzes and photo scavenger hunts, with the chance to win prizes such as vouchers.
More than 70 KNK travel packages are available for families to enjoy during the upcoming school break, including the Brunei Tour Island Discovery, Cultural Heritage of Brunei, Rainforest Discovery, Let’s Explore Temburong, and School Holiday Staycation Promo at various hotels.
The Tourism Development Department will continue to promote KNK’s tourism packages, while also collaborating with relevant tourism stakeholders to introduce new, unique and interesting tourism products and activities.
The department also hopes that the efforts will encourage people to spend and enjoy domestic vacations to contribute to the country’s economy.
Permanent Secretary at the MPRT Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab attended the opening event as the guest of honour. – Rokiah Mahmud
