Sarawak Woos Brunei Tourists
By Aemy Azlena

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Sarawak Travel Fair opened at The Mall, Gadong yesterday for the public to discover more about the "Land of the Hornbills" as 11 participants have set up their booths at the Atrium.

The fair was officially launched yesterday by the guest of honour, Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei, by using a blowpipe to pop a balloon.

The ceremony was followed by a cultural performance, which opened with the playing of Sarawak's iconic instrument, the sape, by Jerry Kamit, who Michael Liu of the Sarawak Tourism Board called the state's de facto music ambassador when it comes to the sape.

This was followed by a cultural dance by six dancers dressed in traditional attire and performing "Sagak' Lasan" which is usually performed when welcoming visitors to the long house.

After viewing the cultural show, the guest of honour toured the booths where he looked through brochures and also sample traditional 'kek lapis' at one of the stalls.

A number of hotels including the Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites, Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort, Dynasty Hotel, Imperial Hotel, Purnama Limbang are taking part in the fair.

As for travel agents, the Journey Travel, Borneo Adventure and Great Leap Tour are participating. Others include the Eastwood Valley, Boulevard Shopping Mall and Royal Brunei Airlines.

According to Michael Liu, 1.48 million Bruneians visited Sarawak last year, which was a 21 per cent increase compared to 1.18 million visitors in 2006.

"We intend to entertain, update, share, listen and inform Bruneians during the three-day period," he said.

The fair is jointly organised by Tourism Malaysia, Brunei and Sarawak Tourism Board.

The fair will end March 9 and the public is encouraged to take a look at the offers that are available. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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