Legislative Council (LegCo) Speaker Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib during yesterday’s LegCo meeting called on Brunei Darussalam to promote tourism focusing on senior citizens as they have the means and interest to stay in luxury hotel suites.
During the discussion of the 2024-2025 financial year under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman said many issues have been raised on promoting tourism in the country, but none focused on attracting senior citizens to the Sultanate.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin said a proposal has been made to cater retirees to visit Brunei Darussalam.
He said, “We need to accommodate their requests like providing VIP lanes to ensure there are no traffic jams and a hassle-free visit. The ministry is looking into this.”
Meanwhile LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin called to strengthen tourism attractions within Brunei and the need to attract foreign investors to develop islands in the surrounding Brunei Bay while developing infrastructure such as resorts.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa said the visitors he brought to the Sultanate were impressed with the pristine forest and clean rivers, during a river cruise passing Istana Nurul Iman.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf said; “The nation needs to package the destination through public-private partnership (PPP) like promoting Selirong Island with the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) through foreign direct investment (FDI).” – Azlan Othman
