AF3 concerts a boon for hotels
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

The September 23 and 24 concerts of Akademi Fantasia (AF) 3, the reality talent search programme that gripped the nation over the past three years, will create high demand for hotel rooms and other services to cater for concert-going tourists who will be coming to this country from Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

Pg Hj Abu Bakar bin Pg Hj Othman, Managing Director of De Hayat Musical & Production, said apart from local concert-goers from other districts, accommodation is also needed for fans of Akademi Fantasia 3 from the region.

"Yes, we have fans purchasing tickets from Limbang, Lawas, Labuan and Miri. They have enquired about hotel accommodation and we have advised them to book early," he said.

He said there were also local fans from Brunei-Muara District who would be staying in the same hotel as their idols just to be close to them.

"The fans have been asking about the hotel which (overall winner) Mawi and the other thirteen AF artistes will be staying at. We are still negotiating with a few top hotels here and we will let the fans know so they could also book rooms at the same hotel," he said.

Pg Hj Abu Bakar said that his company is finalising the venue of Meet-the-Fans Session which could be held at a newly-open shopping establishment in Brunei-Muara District. His company will also be finalising the list of sponsors and supporters of the "Akademi Fantasia 3 Live in Brunei" concerts in the next few days after concluding talks with a few more establishments.

Pg Hj Abu Bakar said the $20-tickets for the two nights have been sold out after only two days of ticket sales. He had earlier said that tickets may be sold out within ten days since Thursday - the commencement of ticket sales - judging by the response from ticket buyers.

Other tickets priced at $100, $60, $40, and $30 can still be purchased from AF3 Ticket Centre at De Hayat Home Products, Block L, Pg Hj Menuddin Complex, Batu Bersurat, Pengakalan Gadong.

The Malaysian stars are expected to arrive in Bandar Seri Begawan on September 21 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin