Tourism & Culture
From The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2016
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Tourism operators in the Sultanate have experienced an eventful few years. A government reshuffle in late 2015 seemed aimed at increasing the focus on the tourism sector, lending hope to many private sector operators that the government would increase support for the growth and expansion of the industry. In tandem with this, however, the appreciation of the Sultanate’s dollar, which is pegged to the Singapore dollar, has seen many potential visitors taking their business to Malaysia instead of Brunei Darussalam. However, bright spots remain for the Sultanate’s tourism operators. As low oil prices continue to weigh on the government’s budget and reserves, many eyes are looking to the tourism sector to add vibrancy to the non-oil economy. This chapter contains an interview with Mario Hardy, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Distinct advantages: Focusing on key niches to increase tourism receipts
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Tourism operators in the Sultanate have experienced an eventful few years. A government reshuffle in late 2015 seemed aimed at increasing the focus on the tourism sector, lending hope to many private sector operators that the government would begin supporting growth and expansion of the industry in earnest. The appreciation of the Sultanate’s dollar, which is pegged to the Singapore dollar, has seen many potential visitors taking their business to Malaysia instead of Brunei Darussalam. Still,…

Analysis

Opportunity awaits: The Sultanate is building on its Islamic tourism offering
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As the world’s only Malay Islamic Monarchy, Brunei Darussalam is in a unique position to promote a sharia-compliant Islamic heritage tourism product attractive to observant Muslim families and others. Such a promotion would be a favourable strategy in the country’s efforts to expand its tourism sector and diversify the economy. Spending on travel and hospitality by Muslim travellers is expected to reach $200bn worldwide by 2020, according to the MasterCard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel…

Interview

To boldly go: OBG talks to Mario Hardy, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
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Interview:Mario Hardy How can new and “off the beaten track” destinations in ASEAN countries be further promoted? MARIO HARDY: One of the primary topics that PATA is addressing is the disproportional growth of tourism. We have been advocating for the dispersal of tourists or a better distribution of tourists in the region, if you will. In certain destinations, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, there are far too many tourists, and if you drive 10 km away, there are beautiful temples and…

Overview

Preserving paradise: Temburong prepares for an influx of visitors
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With construction of Temburong Bridge expected to be completed by the end of 2019, the Temburong District is readying itself for its first physical link to the rest of Brunei Darussalam. When operational, the bridge is expected to bring to an end the long-standing transport and bureaucratic hindrances that made travel to the district difficult and time-consuming. With the amelioration of these issues, a boost in tourist arrivals to Temburong is another potential benefit of the bridge. With this in…

Analysis

China calling: A number of initiatives set to boost Chinese tourist numbers
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With Brunei Darussalam officials busy exploring new avenues to diversify the Sultanate’s economy away from petrochemicals, attention is being directed toward previously underdeveloped sectors for economic expansion. As demonstrated by the elevation of tourism to ministerial status under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) in 2015, the country’s tourism sector is now at the forefront of the economic diversification drive, and China has emerged as an eager and viable partner in…