Kampong Ayer Cultural Centre Up Soon To Boost Brunei Tourism
By Ubaidillah Mash

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's tourism industry will receive a boost with the construction of the $3 million Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Centre, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

One of the main features of the building is an observation tower, which would offer tourists "sweeping views" of Kg Ayer and Bandar Seri Begawan, said Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, chief executive officer of the Brunei Tourism Board, adding that visitors will be able to scan the city skyline from the tower.

The water-village sets Brunei apart from other destinations in the region. Thus the importance of the centre's role in enabling tourists to better understand the unique way of life that has existed in Brunei since people first decided to establish settlements on the Brunei River, he said.

"This was our way of life, this is the way our (ancestors) have lived... by the river," he told The Brunei Times.

The project hoped to provide tourists visiting the water-village a first-stop venue to learn about the history, culture and traditions of Kampong Ayer before they ventured forth through the network of wooden walkway-bridges, winding their way through the stilt-standing houses.

It was also hoped that the centre would become one of the sultanate's iconic landmarks, adding yet another attraction to cater to the "rapidly" growing number of visitors to Brunei.

The chief executive officer also said that the buildings design was supposed to blend in with the surrounding water-village and its roof would be similar to the Yayasan Sultan Hj Has sanal Bolkiah Shopping Complex.

The centre which is located at Kampong Lorong Sikuna, within the sights of the capital's waterfront, is a project undertaken by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources' Tourism Development Department.

A ceremony at the construction site was held yesterday to bless the centre, which was attended by Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat.

The minister was shown the blueprints of the building by the architect from Kayahartamas Sdn Bhd, Abdul Ghani Hj Mohamed, who was in charge of constructing the project.

The proposed centre would have five galleries surrounding a main exhibition area located at the centre of the building. A tourist information centre, an area for the display and sales of handicrafts, toilets, rest and praying facilities were also part of the construction plans.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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