ATAB President Abdul Hamid Arshad and GTBA President Michelle Taylan exchange documents while Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R Tirol-Ignacio far left) and acting director of Tourism Development Department Salinah Mohd Salleh look on. - BB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The country is aiming for a target of 362,569 international tourist arrivals by air this year, with 500,000 by 2028, said Acting Director of Tourism Development Salinah Mohd Salleh at an event on Monday (July 22).
She noted that Brunei Darussalam is currently targeting China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Next year, the focus will include Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The acting director said international tourists arrival by air in 2023 was at 108,622.
“Brunei is a small country blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. We are committed to promote niche tourism instead of mass tourism to preserve our stunning landscape,” said the acting director.
She said the country is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition with a rich cultural heritage that dates back to centuries as well as a strong commitment in preserving natural landscapes, making it an eco-friendly destination.
The nation is also home to some of the most pristine forests in the world teeming with diverse flora and fauna, she said.
Salinah said this when a memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed between the Association of Travel Agents Brunei (ATAB) and the Philippines’ Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) to promote tourism between the two countries.
The MoA established cooperation between the two associations’ members to expand and grow tourism traffic between Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines as well as to implement programmes and activities to support the cooperation.
The MoA also sought to promote contact and communication between their members. ATAB President Abdul Hamid Arshad, and GTBA President Michelle Taylan signed the agreement.
“We believe that there are lots of opportunities to strengthen ties and enhance collaboration in order to open two-way travel between both our countries,” said Taylan. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
