Target eco-tourism, Brunei told
By James Kon

Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, Satoshi Hara, Pichai Raktasinha and Fumihiro Sakakibara at the seminar on Japanese Tourism

Tourists have varied reasons for visiting a country, including entertainment, shopping or relaxation. One of the most common escapades tourists are now seeking is eco-tourism. This is something Brunei can cash in on since it possesses a wealth of natural attractions like the Belalong rainforests in Temburong and the 'exotic' Kampong Ayer. This was said by Satoshi Hara, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei during the opening ceremony of the seminar on Japanese Tourism, which was held at the Sheraton Utama hotel yesterday morning.

Hara also said that Peter Foster, the Managing Director of RBA was on the right track by not only marketing Brunei as a single destination, but also by joining forces with other tourist destinations such as Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bali and even Brisbane and Perth, Australia. By doing so, he believed that Brunei could offset what its market lacked and successfully attract Japanese tourists to this region.

Hara went on to say that when it comes to attracting tourists "we have to think wisely, regionally and globally".

The Ambassador also gave some insight into the Japanese people, saying that most Japanese have difficulties speaking English, and there was the great task of overcoming the language barrier. He added that one thing Japanese tourists loved to do was shop for souvenirs. However, he pointed out that the range of souvenirs available in Brunei was limited and he urged the tourism authorities to increase and expand its variety of souvenirs to attract more Japanese tourists.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Pichai Raktasinha, Director of Tourism Division of the Asean-JAPAN Centre and Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, Director of Tourism Development, MIPR.

Raktasinha gave a brief summary of the Asean-Japan Centre's history, organisation and objective during his welcoming speech.

Sheikh Jamaluddin also spoke briefly to say that in January and February this year, the outlook for the tourism industry in Brunei was promising with charter flights coming in and travel agencies' businesses improving. But in March, when the viral epidemic SARS suddenly took over the world there was a sudden drop in the airlines industry.

About 50 people from the Hospitality and Tourism Industry took part in the one-day seminar. The lecturer for the seminar was Fumihiro Sakakibara, the founder of Mile Post Consultants Inc, a research, marketing and public relations company established in 1979.

Sakakibara possesses nine years of experience in the travel industry as the operation and sales manager for a major tour wholesaler. He also spent two years in a marketing planning agency.

Sakakibara, as the president of the company, has been responsible for conducting major surveys for foreign tourist offices in Japan, international airlines and various Japanese travel wholesalers. He also plays an important role as a management committee member of the Japan Eco-tourism Society for Environment Friendly Travel.

The seminar touched on topics like Eco-tourism Marketing for Japanese Travel Market and How to Establish Eco-tourim in the Region. There was a group discussion and question and answer session at the end of each talk.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin