Bandar Seri Begawan - In Its continuous effort to promote Brunei Darussalam as a unique destination, Brunei Tourism in collaboration with MASWings hosted a media familiarisation trip in the Sultanate comprising representatives from Utusan Sarawak, Kuching; Borneo Post, Kuching; Travel Leisure, Travel Magazine from Kuala Lumpur; Tribun Kaltim publication from Balikpapan, Indonesia and officials from MASWings.

The media familiarisation trip, held from September 24 to 27, was aimed at promoting Brunei as a travel destination by MASWings through a joint collaboration with Brunei Tourism in bringing media from both Sabah, Sarawak and beyond.

It is hoped that through this initiative, it will benefit both MASWings in its aspiration to become the community airline in the region, as well as benefitting Brunei Tourism in promoting Bandar Seri Begawan as an established BIMP-EAGA entry point and ideal tourist destination.

To further enhance their stay in the Sultanate, the media delegates were given the opportunity to experience an overnight stay at the Ulu-Ulu Resort in Temburong as part of the itinerary planned throughout their four-day stay here.

A breakfast was held for the media group today at the Rizqun International Hotel by Brunei Tourism. Present were the Tourism Development Department's Acting Director, Mariani Hj Sabtu, and Tourism Officer, Hjh Nur Fariza Munyati Hj Abd Aji, as well as from MASWings, Encik Alias Suut and Nukhadijah Abdullah.

Known for its wealth, oil-rich Brunei is a unique country in Southeast Asia. With approximately 400,000 people on a territory six times smaller than the Island of Hainan, ruled benevolently by a caring Sultan descending from the longest reigning dynasty in the world, Brunei is a wealthy, peaceful, safe and stable country, where people pay no income taxes, education and healthcare are virtually free and most essential goods are heavily subsidised.

The majority Muslim Malay population shares the country harmoniously with local Chinese and international expatriate communities, who are free to practise their own religions and customs, making Brunei a sincerely hospitable and friendly country where visitors are welcomed as guests, and where tourism is not overly commercialised.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin