Brunei Tourism strives to promote itself to the world
By Achong Tanjong

Head of Brunei tourism unit, Haji Mohd Tali (front-right) with officials from Brunei Tourism and Travel agencies.

Brunei Tourism and other related agencies will continue to press on with their efforts to promote Brunei Darussalam as a tourist destination to the global community.

Brunei Darussalam, which markets itself as the 'Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures', was among the 590 exhibitors from 90 countries, which took part in the 17th International Travel Expo Hong Kong (ITEHK 2003) last month.

According to the Head of Brunei Tourism, Haji Mohd Tali, who led the Brunei delegation during the exhibition, all these were part of their continuous effort to promote Brunei as a favourable tourist destination.

The tourism sector around the region has picked up since news that the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak had subsided, Haji Mohd Tali said, adding that it is timely that they promote Brunei Tourism in the China market.

Among those that took part in the expo were national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines, The Empire Hotel and Country Club, Brunei Hotel, Century Travel, Freme Travel Services, Mas Sugara Travel Services, and Sunshine Borneo Tours & Travel.

"Lately, we have received an encouraging response from interested parties - especially those from the media - Hong Kong and China TV Channel, and even travel magazines," the head of Brunei Tourism proclaimed. "The media has shown great interest to help promote Brunei as a tourist destination."

We are planning to invite them to Brunei next year as part of our Media Familiarisation Trip programme, Haji Mohd Tali said, adding that it would help highlight tourism in Brunei even further.

Meanwhile, Brunei Tourism and other travel agencies will also partake in the Shanghai Exhibition next year.

During the ITEHK 2003 exhibition, which was held from September 25 to 28, delegates from Brunei also attended a seminar on Corporate Travel, as well as forums on Travel Trade.

According to a report from the organiser of the 17th International Travel Expo Hong Kong, the expo closed with a record-breaking number of patronages. There has been a 30 per cent rise in terms of exhibitors participating compared to last year. The expo attracted a total of 580 exhibitors from 90 countries and regions - about 6,800 buyers and trade visitors and 44, 800 public consumers attended.

ITKEHK 2003 hosted 414 buyers from overseas with special delegations and groups from Thailand, Philippines, India, Taiwan and individual buyers from overseas countries, the report said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin