Izah Azahari
The tourism sector was one of the main focusses of the 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) during a session with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT).
LegCo members Yang Berhormat Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann; Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir; Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof; and Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim raised several questions and suggestions.
These centred on the allocation of assistance and the provision of guidance and training by the Tourism Development Department to facilitate the growth of local tourism activities; and whether the department offers aid for enhancing existing tourist sites managed by the community, raised by Yang Berhormat Mohammad. Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman relayed Temburong District residents’ wish to establish a plan themed ‘Temburong Permata Hijau’ (‘Green Jewel Temburong’) to develop and enhance Temburong’s eco-tourism industry focussing on nature and wildlife tourism such as bird-watching and traditional medicine, and cultural tourism highlighting traditional food, dances, music, clothes and games, and handicraft.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan asked for clarification on the ministry’s short, medium and long-term strategies and initiatives to target tourists.
Similarly, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman also touched on the ministry’s tourist arrival targets, noting that efforts in promoting tourism are comparatively less aggressive, and the country can benefit from a more integrated approach to marketing the diverse range of tourism products.
He added that the country’s limited tourism facilities and insufficient allocation for the development and promotion of tourism products and businesses are concerning, suggesting that the upcoming National Development Plan (RKN) must provide sufficient allocation to attract tourists and creating job opportunities for residents.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman noted the ministry’s plan to prepare a road map to promote tourism as a positive step, and welcomed the public-private partnership (PPP) projects implemented in the Temburong District, with hopes that more are planned to create a viable tourism network utilising Brunei’s unique advantages and niches, voicing support on the use of BND6 million allocation at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to strengthen the Kampong Ayer tourism product package.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin in response said the Tourism Development Department has taken several initiatives to support the growth of the tourism industry in the country involving tourist service providers.
These include offering free participation or subsidies for service providers to participate in exhibitions and expos domestically and abroad; conducting familiarisation visits to community-based service providers to assess the quality and safety of promoted places; collaborating with service providers in the production and promotion of brochures and marketing materials locally and internationally; and improving the skills and knowledge of tourism service providers through programmes and workshops locally and abroad.
The initiatives also include working with the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) to increase the capacity of local tour bus drivers and tour guides through workshops and courses; upgrading infrastructure in areas promoted by service providers, including the installation of road signs and signage at recreation parks, pedestrian bridges at Kampong Ayer and Luagan Lalak Forest Recreation Park, and jetties; and plans to build a bridge to the Belulok and Teraja areas in Mukim Labi to improve accessibility.
The minister also noted that the department’s roadmap for the tourism industry in the country focussing on eco-tourism, heritage and culture, and adventure is expected to be completed soon.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf said the Tourism Development Department is working with the Temburong District Development Authority and creating a comprehensive inventory of tourism activities and products at the village and mukim levels across all four districts, including activities mentioned by the LegCo members to create more attractive travel packages.
The department will also work with travel agents in Japan and Korea to promote these packages at tourism expos.
The Tourism Development Department is also conducting capacity-building training programmes in collaboration with institutions of higher education and private and government organisations.
These include local host guide training to encourage local youth to work as tour guides. The department is also installing tourism signs in the district and planning to introduce nature trails with identified natural or historical features for tourists.
The department is also using the PPP method to develop tourism projects, such as a restaurant in Bukit Patoi Temburong Forest Recreation Park and the upgrade and maintenance of the accommodation complex in Ulu Temburong National Park to generate business and job opportunities, especially for local enterprises and youth.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad added that culture is a crucial aspect of tourism as it goes hand-in-hand with the industry.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) has organised cultural school trips to increase awareness on traditions and culture, including dance and traditional games such as gambus and gasing.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi also noted the Language and Literature Bureau’s weekly initiative demonstrating how to play traditional instruments at Bandarku Ceria; and cultural exchanges with other countries to showcase the way of life in the Sultanate.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf also said that the Tourism Development Department is collaborating with the Industry and Business Ecosystem Division (IBE) under the Ministry of Finance and Economy to develop a comprehensive Industry roadmap outlining short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies to establish Brunei as a leading destination by 2035.
The ministries recognise the need to bridge the gap between tourism activities organised at the village, mukim and district levels, and travel agents. By aligning their efforts, the country can create unique and distinct tourism packages.
The minister said the MPRT will re-evaluate key performance indicators and targets with the recent relaxation of entry rules for tourists.
Meanwhile, the use of online channels is the current strategy to promote tourism.
The MPRT plans to collaborate with mobile app operators locally and worldwide to ensure Brunei is marketed as an attractive tourist destination in the region.
While more work needs to be done to improve infrastructure, progress has already been made under the provisions of RKN 11.
The MoHA has upgraded basic tourism facilities in Kampong Ayerr, including a pedestrian bridge and a mini wharf at the Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery.
The Temburong District Development Authority has identified three focus areas for development: Pekan Bangar, Labu, and Batang Duri and Ulu Temburong areas.
Furthermore, the MCYS is upgrading the Brunei Museum building, and there is a PPP project in Bukit Patoi.
The MPRT will increase efforts to attract more PPPs that will impact the tourism industry.
The MPRT will also collaborate with the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) to invest in international-standard accommodation and interesting locations in the country.
Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman also noted that there are 65 countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver programme, which allows entry into the Sultanate without the need for a visa.
The Immigration and National Registration Department introduced an online E-Arrival Card allowing foreign tourists to fill out their information online, rather than having to wait in line at the international airport.
Additionally, the upcoming upgrade to the Border Management System, will improve the E-Gate system to streamline the entry process for tourists without compromising security.