Tourism in Brunei

Tourism in Brunei is governed by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, which is planning to diversify Brunei's tourism to include adventure tourism, ecotourism and Islamic tourism.[1][2]

Large white mosque, with a gold dome, near water
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Overview

The Brunei dollar is one of strongest currencies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, a factor discouraging tourists in the region from visiting Brunei.[3] One Brunei dollar is equal to around 10,740 Indonesian rupiah, 3.10 Malaysian ringgit, 36.2 Philippine peso and 23.6 Thai baht. According to some travel agencies, because of Brunei's strong currency tour packages are expensive compared with those of other countries in the region; local tourists prefer other ASEAN countries, although tourists from outside the ASEAN prefer Brunei.[3][4] In 2014, 95 percent of foreign tourists arrived in Brunei by land; four percent arrived by air, and one percent by sea.[5]

Statistics

Source: Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; Immigration and Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs; and Brunei shipping agencies.[6]

Arrivals

201620172018201920202021
Land 4,013,3254,046,1434,224,4404,100,6351,006,763106,848
Air 218,809 258,955 278,136 333,244 62,325 3,543
Sea 25,055 10,886 18,760 15,149 1,526 0
Total 4,257,189 4,315,984 4,521,336 4,449,028 1,070,614 110,391
Growth (year-on-year) +4.9% +1.4% +4.8% -1.6% -75.9% -89.7%

Note: The number of arrivals for 2020 and 2021 decreased due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. All land and sea borders were closed starting from March 2020 with the exception of 'essential travelers' who were allowed entry mainly for the purpose of official visits, family, education, businesses and employment. The borders reopened on 1st of August 2022 and arrivals are expected to increase again.[7]

Registered Travel Agents

201620172018201920202021
Number of travel agents 606557575345

Tourist Receipts

20202021
Amount ($BND) $20.8 millions$1.3 millions

Government initiatives

The Brunei government budgeted $300,000 for tourism in 2015, and provisions for tourism were also made in the country's National Development Plan (NDP).[8] Brunei is seeking foreign direct investment in tourism and collaboration with a number of agencies.[5]

Tutong Destination Programme

The Tutong Destination Programme is a pilot project to increase tourism in Tutong District, a major tourist destination in the country. The programme, created by the district government in collaboration with travel agencies and the NGOs, began in 2013. More than 2,000 tourists have visited Tutong (which has more than 30 potential tourist destinations) since the project was introduced.[9][10] The district was visited by 50 delegates from the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).[11]

Bird Watching Workshop 2015

Birdwatching is one aspect of nature tourism identified in the Brunei Tourism Masterplan. In 2015, a three-day birdwatching workshop was sponsored by the Tourism Development Department of Brunei in collaboration with Sunshine Borneo Tours and Travel, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the Birding Conservation Council (BCC) and volunteers from the Brunei Birders Group.[12]

Recommendations

Islam is the state religion of Brunei, and tourists should observe Islamic etiquette. Women should dress modestly in conservative and rural areas. During the month of Ramadan, visitors are not permitted to drink or eat during the day in public areas. Most major tourist attractions in Brunei are Islamic mosques. Foreign, non-Muslim tourists in proper attire may enter mosques; women should cover their head, shoulders and knees. Although the sale of alcohol is prohibited in Brunei, non-Muslims over age 17 may bring two bottles of liquor or wine and 12 cans of beer into the country; 48 hours must elapse between each importation.[13][14][15]

Major attractions
A tour boat visiting Kampong Ayer

Brunei is noted for ecotourism and cultural, heritage and Islamic tourism.

Cultural, heritage and Islamic tourism Attractions

Ecotourism Attractions
  • Hall in Istana Nurul Iman
    Hall in Istana Nurul Iman
  • Jerudong Park
    Jerudong Park
  • Royal Regalia
    Royal Regalia

See also

References
  1. "Brunei has vast tourism potential". The Brunei Times. 1 November 2015. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  2. "Ministry change will aid tourism". The Brunei Times. 25 October 2015. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  3. Fitri Shahminan (2015-10-15). "Strong Brunei dollar drives ASEAN tourists away | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 2015-10-20. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  4. "Brunei Tourism - A sad 'state' of affairs | Investvine". investvine.com. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  5. "Brunei growing as tourist destination - Borneo Bulletin Online". Borneobulletin.com.bn. 2015-10-28. Archived from the original on 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  6. "Tourism and Development Department - Statistic". www.tourism.gov.bn. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  7. Scoop, The (2022-07-31). "Brunei, Malaysia to reopen land border tomorrow: What you need to know". The Scoop. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  8. "Brunei works to promote & strengthen tourism sector - Borneo Bulletin Online". Borneobulletin.com.bn. 2015-10-28. Archived from the original on 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  9. Abdul Aziz Ismail (2015-10-04). "Tutong programme spurs rise in visitors | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  10. Abdul Aziz Ismail (2015-07-25). "Tutong Destination all set to roll | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  11. Zafirah Zaili (2015-09-17). "Tutong emerges as a tourist destination | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  12. "Bird-watching as one of Brunei's nature tourism attractions - Borneo Bulletin Online". Borneobulletin.com.bn. 2015-10-28. Archived from the original on 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  13. Charles de Ledesma; Mark Lewis; Pauline Savage (2003). Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Rough Guides (Firm). Rough Guides. pp. 72–. ISBN 978-1-84353-094-7.
  14. "Brunei Tourism | Essential Info". Bruneitourism.travel. Archived from the original on 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
  15. "Brunei travel advice". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2015-11-22.
  • Brunei travel guide from Wikivoyage
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