HOW TO SELL BRUNEI
BRUNEI is... S
BY CHLOE GOVAN
outh East Asia's best-kept secret. The smallest and most diminutive nation in the region by far, Brunei combines the jungle feel of
Borneo with the waterway vistas of Venice and the Islamic tradition of the Middle East. An emerging destination, the tiny sultanate is an off-the-beaten- track enthusiast's dream. Visitor numbers barely scraped 225,000 in 2008, but nonetheless tourists totalled more than half the country's population that year. Just over 16,000 of those were UK residents, many taking advantage of direct flights with Royal Brunei Airlines that leave from London Heathrow, with a flight time of 16 hours. Michael Jackson famously performed
in Brunei in 1996 and became close friends with the Royal Family, at the time boosting the country's popularity and raising its profile as a potential tourist destination. Since then playboy Prince Jefri's parties have included celebrity guests such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. One of Brunei's unique selling points
is its status as one of just two remaining sovereign sultanates in the world which offers a rare opportunity to experience Muslim culture in an
Brunei's opulent architecture contrasts with its Islamic traditions and pristine rainforest
38 September 2010 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
atypical setting. Hailed as a mini-Dubai, it has a similar culture but is paired with a rainforest backdrop. The Empire Hotel and Country Club
provides a taste of Middle East luxury - and like Dubai's Burj Al Arab and Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace, it too cost in excess of $1 billion to build. Another opportunity for visitors to see
a little of the sultanate’s opulence arrives when the Sultan's Palace, Istana Nurul Imam, opens its doors to visitors. It does this just three days a year, providing an opportunity to personally met the sultan and take a peek into the 1788-room building, which requires 51,000 light bulbs to power it. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan,
offers many other fascinating options. It has earned itself the nickname 'Venice of the East' for its breathtaking water village, Kampong Ayer. The largest of its kind in the world, the settlement is home to 20,000 people. Homestays offer a closer look at life in modern houses on stilts on the river. Yet the biggest attraction in Brunei is
its unspoiled terrain. About 78% of the nation's landmass is primary rainforest and, with logging now illegal (unlike in neighbouring Malaysia) unconventional adventurers have the chance to view pristine, untouched forest far from the crowds of the tourist trail. Ulu Temburong, a few hours from the capital, can be reached by a
combination of exhilarating speedboat and bus. Here, thousands-of-years-old rainforest can be explored through trekking, kayaking, a visit to a waterfall, night safaris and a tree-top summit walk with views over eastern Malaysia. Guests normally stay in the luxury jungle lodge, Ulu Ulu Resort. Those with a passing interest in the multi-billion dollar oil and gas industry can visit Kuala Belait and pay tribute to the Billionth Barrel Monument, which commemorates the billionth barrel of oil ever produced in the country. Clients are increasingly warming to
Brunei as an alternative or an add-on to its Malaysian neighbours Sarawak and Sabah. Says Chris Roberts, director of marketing, Brunei Tourist Board: “What makes Brunei different from other South East Asian destinations, in fact from most destinations anywhere, is the pervasive feeling of tranquility and calm. “Most tourists from Europe tend to
combine a short stay in Brunei with Malaysia for a complete Borneo experience. It is also a popular stopover on the way from the UK to Australia or New Zealand. "For those visiting the region, it is connected to most regional capitals with short flights, making Brunei a good starting point for a trip around South East Asia.”
WHAT’S NEW June 2010 saw the introduction of Brunei’s first ever water village homestay programme, where guests can meet families and participate in traditional activities including fishing, boat trips and making prawn crackers. Meanwhile, the capital’s Sheraton
Utama hotel reopened in May under the Radisson umbrella, less than one kilometre from the city centre.
WHE R E TO BOOK IT PREMIER HOLIDAYS 08444 937 531
www.premierholidays.co.uk For a shorter visit, a two-night tour is offered as an add-on to a Borneo itinerary. Prices start at £269pp, including return flights from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, two nights accommodation at the Empire Hotel and all transfers.
SUNSHINE BORNEO TOURS
www.exploreborneo.com The Brunei-based operator has five days and four nights at the Empire Hotel and Country Club on an all-inclusive basis with meals, English-speaking guides and return airport transfers. It costs around BND 845pp (about £400), based on two people sharing twin accommodation. Optional add-on tours to the Seria oilfields and to see proboscis monkeys are also available.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68