BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Brunei government is considering the establishment of a dedicated cultural village to showcase the heritage of the country’s seven indigenous ethnic groups.
The proposal aims to provide tourists with a centralised location to experience Brunei’s diverse cultural traditions without the need for extensive travel. The relevant ministries are reviewing the feasibility of the project and identifying suitable locations.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Setia Dr Abdul Manaf Metussin said this in addressing queries by appointed members at the ongoing 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting on Monday (March 17).
Meanwhile, efforts to streamline the tourism sector are underway, with the establishment of four working committees focusing on connectivity, infrastructure, manpower and product enhancement.
These committees will collaborate with key agencies, including the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Home Affairs, district offices and hospitality industry stakeholders, to ensure a seamless experience for visitors from pre-arrival to departure.
On the infrastructure front, two projects have been earmarked under the National Development Plan to enhance tourism facilities. However, due to budget constraints, additional funding will be sought to implement these projects within the year.
The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) is also leveraging media and film productions to promote Brunei as a tourist destination. Past international productions, such as Law of the Jungle (2015), Battle Trip (2017), Asadal Chronicles (2018), and Top Gear (2018), have contributed to a 53 per cent increase in Korean tourist arrivals between 2015 and 2019.
Recent collaborations with Indonesia’s Indosiar network have also highlighted Brunei’s Ramadan experiences as part of its Islamic tourism promotion. The ministry continues to attract film and television projects to showcase the country’s unique landscapes.
In the realm of eco-tourism, Brunei has initiated scientific exhibitions and research expeditions, such as the Brunei Darussalam Conference on Biodiversity and the Taxon Expedition in collaboration with Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).
The country is also nominating several recreational parks for inclusion in the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative, reinforcing its commitment to forest conservation. Upcoming events include the Forest to Reef Expedition at MYCE 2025, featuring prominent wildlife experts and YouTube content creators.
Agritourism and rural tourism are also gaining attention as avenues for economic diversification. The MPRT is working to educate local farmers on sustainable tourism models while integrating handicraft exhibitions and agri-food experiences into tourism offerings. Local products are being promoted through dedicated retail spaces at the Kampung Air Cultural Tourism Gallery and the Muara Cruise Ship Terminal.
To support small and medium-sized enterprises in agriculture, the government has introduced schemes that allow businesses to expand their allocated land from two to four hectares under the Pioneer Scheme.
Additionally, efforts are being made to address post-harvest losses through mobile cold storage units, with discussions ongoing with industry stakeholders to implement a long-term, systematic solution for preserving perishable goods.
These initiatives collectively aim to enhance Brunei’s tourism industry, strengthen economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and position the country as a sustainable travel destination in the region. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
