​ Brunei ranked among the top 10 fastest destinations for leisure travel from 2016 to 2026 by World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. Brunei is a rich, conservative Muslim country with a small population. But, she embraces old and new culture such as majestic business centre but upkeeps traditional values, nationalities, races and religions. Sultan Omar Sarifuddien Mosque is the most iconic mosques and a tribute to nation's deep- rooted faith. Her culture mainly derives from old Malay world, a territory covering the Malay Archipelago and is deeply rooted in her Malay origins which are reflected in language, architecture, ceremonies and custom forming daily life. The traditions of Old Malaya has left behind indelible mark on the culture to build her rich history though influenced by foreign civilization.

Travelled with family member to Brunei on 04 -06 Oct 2017 by Royal Brunei in conjunction with The Golden Jubilee of His Majestic ascension to the throne in celebration of the 50 years the Sultan has ruled Brunei. We are so excited, lucky to have a rare opportunity joining locals to witness this magnificent procession that celebrated only ever 25 years.

Bruneian take pride of the oldest Malay Islamic monarchy and centuries of world royal heritage. The Sultan of Brunei comes from a family line that traced back over 600 years to 1405 when the Sultan ascended the throne, founding a dynasty. The current Sultan, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanil Bolkian is the 29the ruler. Brander Seri Begawan is a Brunei's business centre located at heart of cultural landscape preserving the nation's most revered landmarks. Nearby sights such as Lapau is the ceremonial hall where royal function are held. Kianggeh Market sales daily products, foods, handicrafts and medicinal plants. Nearly, only one Teng Yun Chinese temple with authentic Chinese architecture. Dewan Bahasa and the largest Pustake Public Library well keeps the biggest collection of works by Bruneian authors. Night tour to magical Bandar Seri Begawan, Asr Hassanil Bolkian Mosque and Gadong night market where one can taste the famous local foods and snacks, shop at the largest shopping mall and enjoy its ambience. One also can visit wonderful Water Village by a boat to get a glimpse of her charm. There are 30,000 people live along the rivers for 600 years. Meanwhile, Water Cultural Centre features the unique lives of the water village people to enable visitors to get more insights into their lifestyles.

I feel that Brunei may reinforce her strategic marketing plan to positively promote the following sustainable tourism to target deferent segments on the strength of her natural, cultural and religious heritages

1. ECO-TOURISM

More than 70% land covered by pristine rainforests is suitable for nature lovers and adventures to experience pristine tropical rainforest, unspoiled coral reefs, mangrove-covered islands, white sand beaches and nature reserves. One can walk in the lush rainforest canopy at Ulu Temburong Park which houses many of birds, plants micro fauna and mammals such as Bornean proboscis and monkey where has become one of the world's richest, largest and diverse ecosystems to target the students for teambuilding and retreat purposes during school holidays. Visitors can choose to stay in comfortable accommodation with air-conditioned bunkroom at Rainforest Lodge to enjoy relaxing experience in jungle and majestic view of surrounding countryside. Brunei is also one of richest habitats for wildlife which offers a vast array of birds including 463 species and 25 globally threatened species attracted bird-watchers, wildlife protectors and preservers.

2. LEISURE TOURISM

There are wide range of accommodations choices such as hotels, guess houses and service apartments in the capital and beach resorts on the banks of Temburong and Belalong rivers throughout the country. Impeccable elegance of 7 stars class Empire hotel & Country Club is highlighted for business travelers and tourist class accommodation for leisure travelers. Visitors will be greeted by friendly, kind and helpful staff who are trained in hospitality and excellent hospitality is trademark of Brunei. Many hotels provide with a free shuttle transport to shopping centre for shopaholic. Suggest, Brunei may tie up with Miri to come up new tourism products such as Brunei and Miri 4DAYS 3 NIGTHS TOUR to target the families, silver travelers for leisure purposes

3. CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS (ISLAM) TOURISM

Brunei Museum well preserves and houses antique cannons and intricate daggers, private collections of gilded Holy Korans, Romeo, ethnographic treasure unearthed from shipwreck off Brunei coasts.Swords and Shield are displayed at Royal Regalia Museum, Brunei Darussalam. Brunei may promote the Islam tourism by virtue of unique Islamic and cultural heritage such as Sultan Omar Sarifuddien Mosque, Asr Hassanil Bolkian Mosque and cultural sites such as Royal Regalia Museum, authentic Islamic handcrafts and related products as well as famous local foods to bring in more international Islamic pilgrims and culture seekers and researchers from global Islamic countries in general and religious group from nearly Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore in particular.

4. MEETUING, INCENTIVE, CONVENTION AND EXHIBTION (MICE) TOURISM

In fact, Brunei has promoted MICE tourism many years ago for business travelers and incentive group but there is still a room for improvement depends on nature of events such as entertainment event, medical conference and even Asean Tourism Conference can be held based on her good security precaution and infrastructure such as highway, smooth traffic flow and logistics such as available luxury coaches and other transports, excellent business class hotels and function halls can cater a group of 300 to 500 delegates. Also, conference organizers still provide international participants with alcoholic beverages. Suggested to organize more golf tournament yearly for golf enthusiasts and players since there are many good golf courses.

OBSERVATION AND VIEWS

Gas and mining accounted for 41.7 % of Brunei in 2016 but due to her low global oil prices, Sultanate has identified that tourism is potential cluster to contribute Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Therefore, it is wise to explore more tourist sites and outdoor activities such as Sungai Basong Recreation Park for picnickers and joggers, shipwrecks and oil rig for divers, kite-flyer for interested group. Pleased to know that tourism policy- makers and planners have worked closely with industry players and stakeholders to come up new attractive tourism products to target 451,000 international visitors by 2020 from 218,000 in 2015 and expects to contribute tourism receipt of S178.6 million. The government has taken positive diversification and strategy to improve her infrastructure such as The 30 km Temburong Bridge connecting the urban Bandar Seri Begawan to forest enclave of Bangar be ready by 2019. With more open and transplant tourism policies, I believe that Brunei will attract more international visitors by virtue of her friendly population, stable politics, safe, low crime rate, unpolluted destination where are located away from natural disasters zone. 

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