Brunei Tourism Board Meets
By Helena M. Mahathir

Bandar Seri Begawan - Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab, Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, chaired the newly established Brunei Tourism Board's first meeting that took place yesterday at the Ulu Temburong National Park, to discuss what more could be done to attract tourists.

Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah explained that the process of alignment, especially involving stakeholders, is fully operational in setting a clear goal to increase the number of tourists by 2023, as well as creating a sustainable industry which "our young people can actually proudly be a part of and work for".

"I think it is important for the public to know that the establishment of Brunei Tourism Board was under the consent of His Majesty the Sultan And Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on July 12," he said.

The board comprises 12 members, representing government and private sectors, from hotel and travel agent associations, as well as the International Chamber of Commerce and RBA.

Speaking on the issue of immigration, he underlined the importance of being tourist friendly and a place that is fun, with minimum impediments.

"We should make it easier for them to visit Brunei as well as re-examining and checking again the policy of visa requirements."

He added that this requires investment and support from other ministries, although it is the board's responsibility to improve on the basic infrastructure and market it more effectively.

"It has been articulated that the non oil and gas sector would contribute by the year 2023, the order of about $4.5 billion. Now the question is what is it we have to put in place and do today to realise that.

"What it means as far as tourism is concerned by 2023, that it would contribute to that non oil and gas sector the order of about 12 per cent - and that is a global benchmark, and I believe that Brunei can do it too.

"In addition to our GDP contribution, which is currently 1.6 per cent, to 12 per cent in year 2023, we are also talking about generating sustainable employment opportunities for our young people.

And we are talking a figure of about 12,000 that also includes foreign workers, the professionals, the experts, the people with the experience who can actually work very closely with our people, passing on their experience to the locals."

Dato-Paduka Haji Hamdillah believes that tourism must be in the forefront for FDI, whereby the world of investors would like to invest in a place where it is nice to live in. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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