Proposal to market S’wak, Sabah and Brunei as world-class product
BRUNEI: Tourism players in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei should work together to sell the combined uniqueness of both countries as a world-class tourism product.
CROSS-BORDER SERVICE: Dr Chan (right) receives a mock bus ticket from Bus Asia executive director Henry Lai (second left) and general manager Lai Sin Kiong (left), witnessed by Dato Ku Jaafar.
In making the suggestion, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, said such a “Borneo package”, when marketed properly, could ignite the imagination of foreign tourists and entice them to visit the northern part of Borneo island.
“Airlines such as Royal Brunei and Malaysian-owned airlines, for instance, should combine routes and services to promote and sell Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah.
“This would be a good package to sell to the whole world,” said Dr Chan at the launching of Sarawak Travel Fair at The Mall at Dadong, Bandar Seri Begawan, yesterday.
Dr Chan, who is also the Minister of Tourism and Heritage, said tourism products such as the Mulu National Park in Miri, the Empire Hotel in Brunei and Mount Kinabalu in Sabah could entice more foreign tourists to visit both Malaysia and Brunei.
“Most tourists come a long way just to visit one country or destination.
“The combination of Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei would be good idea as they (tourists) can visit two countries at one time,” said Dr Chan.
On the fair, Dr Chan said he was pleased that the annual event had played its role in promoting Sarawak, particularly Miri, to Bruneians who had sought alternative travel destinations.
He added that the fair would continue to serve as a bridge between Sarawakians and Bruneians by providing first-hand information on holiday and tourism-related activities across the border.
Meanwhile, Malaysia and Brunei made a “quantum leap” of sorts yesterday in solving issues relating to cross border travels.
There is now a direct bus service into Brunei provided by Bus Asia — Miri-based bus company.
“With this new development (launch of the bus service yesterday), we look forward to greater co-operation with the government of Brunei in encouraging the movement of tourists, locals and the business community for mutual benefit,” said Dr Chan.
Present at the fair were Malaysian High Commissioner to Negara Brunei Darussalam Dato Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, chief executive officer of Sarawak Tourism Board Dato Rashid Khan and director of Tourism Malaysia in Brunei Jamilah Abdul Halim.