Brunei As A Hub For Tourists From China
By Azlan Othman & Achong Tanjong

Bandar Seri Begawan - Tourism in Brunei is set to get a boost following a recent visit by four senior officers representing China's Xiamen Airlines, who were in the country to conduct a marketing research on the potential of Borneo as a hub for tourists.

Xiamen Airlines is expected to bring in tourists from Xiamen and Fujian to the Sultanate, possibly by September this year. Besides Brunei, the tourists will also visit Sibu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

According to Mr Deng Dong Tao, the airline's Passenger Marketing Department vice-general manager, the China Civil Aviation Department recommended Xiamen aviation to set up links between Brunei and China.

He explained that the group was in the country to get more information on places of interest, and pointed out that he was fascinated with Brunei's cultural heritage especially the Royal Regalia building in the capital.

During their short stay in the country, the group visited the Department of Civil Aviation as well as RBA Commercial Department. The group mentioned that their visit to Brunei was fruitful because they were able to set up links with various agencies in Brunei, including the national airline, travel agent and government authorities.

Once they have established air linkages, they hope to make Borneo and Xiamen as a hub for tourists. Currently, Xiamen flies from Fujian to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, both seven times a week. The airline also flies to Penang three times a week. Royal Brunei Airlines, on the other hand, flies to Shanghai twice a week.

Through air linkages, it is hoped that tourists from Xiamen and Fujian province would be able to discover the "Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures". Meanwhile, the visiting group was hosted

by the President of the Overseas Chinese Taipei Association, Mr Lim Tiong Tin.

Mr Lim expressed his hope that the airlines would choose Brunei as their hub, as travellers from other parts of Borneo, especially Kuching, Sibu and Kota Kinabalu, would come to Brunei.

Xiamen Airlines has been operating for over 20 years ago since its establishment in 1984.

From Xiamen, Fuzhou, Jinjiang, Wuyishan and Hangzhou, as its main hubs, the airlines now operates approximately 100 domestic and international routes for passengers and cargo to the major cities in China and Southeast Asian countries.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News