FEATURE BRUNEI
Ulu Ulu after a breathtaking
navigation of river rapids, upstream with nothing
but virgin rainforest all around. The resort is great for nature lovers but still delivers on creature comforts.
The main activity at Ulu Ulu is the
vertiginous canopy walkway – it’s not for the faint-hearted but is well worth the 05.00 alarm call and trek in the dark to watch the steam rise across an ancient rainforest and hear the hoot of gibbons in the treetops next to you.
Guides also lead night-
time nature walks to show visitors how to search for the
glow of spiders’ eyes, day-time treks
to idyllic waterfalls and water activities like kayaking and tubing.
What’s New The Brunei Hotel in BSB has had an extensive refurbishment. One of the city’s oldest hotels, open for over 50 years, the upgrade has given the 65-room property a more boutique feel, with six categories of room.
Tourism Talk
SALINAH SALLEH Tourism Officer Brunei Tourism “The number of holiday
arrivals is still very small (last year 5,359 UK visitors came to Brunei for tourism reasons) hence we want to do all we can to push for promotions in the UK, such as joint activities with tour operators who are currently featuring Brunei or are looking to start programming Brunei. Activities include fams, road shows and training. “More and more visitors are looking
for new and exotic destinations and Brunei certainly fits that bill. "People often don’t realise that Brunei
is not the Middle East! Or that we are located on the nature-rich island of Borneo and can be combined with a trip to other areas of the island. “Mature or experienced travellers are
our primary target market, followed by nature lovers, backpackers and families.”
58 April 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
From the Front Line DAVID CARLAW
Head of Faraway Product Premier Holidays
“Brunei continues to be a popular add-on to Borneo holidays and we’ve also noticed a lot of interest from repeat Far East visitors looking for new experiences in the region. "Premier Holidays features a two-
night add-on option to Brunei from Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, staying at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, which has some really amazing facilities. “Our half-day sightseeing trip to the
capital city and its surrounds is a popular trip. The tour offers a fascinating insight into the country and its rapid development since the discovery of oil in the 1970s. “Agents booking Far East packages can still earn up to £150 worth of shopping vouchers.”
Where To Book It PREMIER HOLIDAYS – 08444 937 444
www.trade.premierholidays.co.uk For July-August 2012 Premier Holidays is offering two nights at Brunei's Empire Hotel and Country Club from £349pp. This includes return flights from Kota Kinabalu, private transfers to and from the Empire Hotel and hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. The two-night Premier package is based on two adults sharing. •
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL BY LAURA GELDER “A hidden gem for divers, the 92m-long, 2654-ton Japanese cement cargo ship sank off Brunei in 1980 after hitting a bank. Down the descent line the current flurried and whirled and strings of small jelly fish whipped past. At the bottom, the visibility cleared and a beautifully intact wreck appeared out of the gloom. It sits perfectly straight on the seabed with its hoists looming like serpents. As we glided along the decks we saw a well-hidden octopus, a giant moray baring its jaws in the bow and a huge lion fish. Sections of the rigging had become tangled with fishing nets – and no wonder, because every section of the ship teamed with life and colour. The more adventurous can penetrate the cargo hold and swim amongst its ghostly remains but I preferred to stay in the light under the watchful eye of the patrolling bat fish.”
Top from left: Masid Jame, Brunei's largest mosque; a fountain in the Royal Gardens. Left from top: A water taxi; Kampung Ayer, BSB's water village.
Selling Tip
You can’t take your full suitcase deep into the
Jungle. So adcise Ulu Ulu guests to take a smaller backpack
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