Syahmi Hassan
Malaysia has witnessed an increase in Brunei tourists to Sarawak, not only in Miri, but also Kuching and Kota Kinabalu after the Sultanate re-opened its borders.
Malaysia expects this will increase during the year-end school holiday season.
Tourism Malaysia Director General Dato’ Haji Zainuddin Abdul Wahab said this during an interview at the Malaysia Tourism Media Appreciation Ceremony 2022 at Quill City Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently.
Dato’ Haji Zainuddin, as a representative of Tourism Malaysia, welcomes the arrival of Brunei tourists not only on weekends, but also on their long-term vacations, not only in Sabah and Sarawak but also West Malaysia.
The Director-General of Tourism Malaysia shared that in August, they received 25,655 arrivals from Brunei Darussalam into Malaysia, while 45,960 arrivals from Brunei to Malaysia were recorded last September, an increase of 79 per cent. He also shared that 87,038 arrivals from Brunei entered Malaysia from January to September 2022.
“Many Brunei tourists visit Malaysia, especially during Hari Raya, to shop for their festive preparations. We hope that with the re-opening of borders, the trend will increase again. Brunei is also a ‘friendly packages’ season market that responds strongly to our programme. In addition to filling free time, we also introduce Muslim tourism packages to Bruneians,” Dato’ Haji Zainuddin added.
On cultural exchange, Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia Datuk Hajah Saraya Arbi said, “There is a Bridge of Goodwill between Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia. We will re-examine those programmes but at the same time actually, at the ASEAN level, we have a very good cultural exchange between all the ASEAN countries.
“Brunei is one country that is active not only in culture, but also the training of civil service officers between Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei once every two years,” she added.
