Daniel Lim
The Belait Product Packages are aimed at promoting places of interest offering ‘experiential tour’ services that combine primary products, emerging products and products of a village consultative council (MPK), said Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab.
Additionally, the packages can assist stakeholders – including hotels, tour guides and tourism service providers – in providing a full and flexible itinerary, while at the same time, further promote newer but lesser known tourist attractions with the potential to be developed, she said.
Hajah Tutiaty said this while launching the Belait Product Packages in the presence of deputy permanent secretary, Brunei Tourism Board members, Chairman of Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Board, government officials and tourism stakeholders.
The Tourism Development Department at the MPRT launched the Belait Product Packages at the Tropical Biodiversity Centre in Jalan Labi yesterday, casting a spotlight on the sights and wonders found in the district.
The event was held following the launch of the tourism product packages in Temburong and Brunei-Muara districts earlier last week.
The Tourism Development Department has prepared brochures containing information on the tourism product packages in each district. The brochure contains sample itineraries with minimum indicative prices, allowing visitors to choose additional activities or services according to their taste and needs which can be made through local travel agencies, Hajah Tutiaty said.
The Belait Product Packages sample itineraries and brochures include the Billionth Barrel Monument, which represents the district’s significant history in the oil and gas industry.
“Another popular location highlighted is the Seria Energy Lab (SEL), formerly known as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre. The science centre aims to foster interest and increase knowledge on the importance of renewable energy,” she said.
Hajah Tutiaty also spoke of the many nature sites found in Belait’s rural areas.
“In Mukim Labi, there are several attractions including the Tropical Biodiversity Centre, Sungai Liang Recreation Park and the Luagan Lalak Forest Recreation Park, which come under the jurisdiction of the Forestry Department at the MPRT.”
Additionally, these areas are also key focal points for a host of activities, one of which is stargazing – conducted by the Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam.
Among the natural beauty of the lush forest sits two longhouses (Teraja Longhouse and Mendaram Besar Longhouse) that have become Kampong Labi’s main attractions. Each longhouse has its own unique activities allowing visitors to sample the culture and way of life of the Iban community.
From handicraft and cultural performances to experiencing the sights and sounds of nature (experienced through jungle excursions along Wasai Teraja and Wasai Wong Kadir), the offerings provide a unique experience for visitors keen on escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Another key place of interest is the Labi Coffee Farm spread across a nine-hectare wide plantation with over 18,000 premium coffee trees. Here visitors can sample locally grown coffee beans and better understand the growing and harvesting process.
“With support from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) through the district office, the MPKs were able to introduce an assortment of locally handmade products, among them biscuits, cakes, tongkats, parangs, sesagun beras and acar beras, and fish crackers,” Hajah Tutiaty said.
Following the launch, Hajah Tutiaty was taken on a brief jungle trek near the Tropical Biodiversity Centre, which is one of the activities visitors’ can partake in at the centre.
To mark the occasion, five saplings were planted as part of the Forestry Department’s on-going ex-situ conservation initiative.
