Brunei expects tourist arrivals to reach 450,000 by 2020

Easing visa requirements for visitors from a number of countries will boost the inflow of tourists into Brunei, thus helping the country achieve the annual target of 450,000 visitor arrivals by air by 2020 from 218,000 in 2015, said Haji Ali, Brunei's minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

"The ease of visa requirements will help ease travel to Brunei Darussalam and increase the number of visitors to the country. In addition, providing clear tour packages comprising affordable prices can give a competitive advantage for Brunei over other tourism hotspots in the region," the minister told local media recently on the sidelines of the launch of the new Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer (or the Water Village) National Heritage Tour packages.

Following last September the launch of tour packages for Temburong, a protected area boasting the country's natural reserve of tropical rainforest, "We are also planning to launch tour packages in Tutong and Belait areas so that travellers can stay in the country for a longer period," the minister said.

"It is important to build Brunei as a very attractive tourist destination for tourists to repeatedly visit the country."

On developing qualified local tour guides, the minister revealed that his ministry's Tourism Development Department is working with private schools to offer tourism courses to produce qualified guides.

"It is important for tour guides to be able to give proper and accurate explanation on the significance of our historical sites," he added. Endit