Brunei Has Sport Tourism Potential
By Lyna Mohamad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam has the potential for sport tourism as the country boasts attractions such as the world famous Ulu Temburong National Park and Selirong Islang in Brunei Bay.

This was said by Commonwealth Tourism Centre (CTC) Director General Abdul Rahman Shaari during a briefing on the first Commonwealth Conference on Sport Tourism at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.

Also present at the briefing were Brunei Tourism stakeholders at the Wawasan Room, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

Among those present at the briefing, held at the Wawasan Room, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, was Tourism Development Director Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, who noted that the Brunei Tourism Board has been laying a lot of emphasis on sport tourism, especially golf, which has attracted 4,000 Koreans to the country this month alone.

Abdul Rahman Shaari said sport tourism encompasses the hosting of major sporting events, adding that a major component of the itinerary involves watching, organising or participating in physical activities, which has become an increasingly important social, cultural, political and economic phenomenon in recent years.

Other countries, he added, are capitalising on their natural attributes by actively developing jungle trekking, mountain climbing, scuba diving, white water rafting and other sporting activities.

However, he added, while sport tourism can offer many benefits, there can also be negative impacts. Thus, it is essential to understand the key issues of sport tourism so the benefits can be maximised.

The conference will examine three aspects: development; issues, impacts and opportunities; and case studies, said Abdul Rahman Shaari.

He also noted that the main objective of the conference is to provide a platform for participants to discuss key issues in sport tourism, including identifying and creating new approaches to sport tourism development and investment as well as sharing best practices in planning and management.

"This conference will bring together sports and tourism professionals from all over the world... to share their experiences, exchange ideas and discuss ways to enhance sustainable sport tourism development."

Meanwhile, themed "Sport Tourism and Sustainability: Inter-relationships, Impacts and Issues", the event was supported by Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, UK's Bournemouth University, and Creative Advances Technology of Malaysia. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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