SEV Shining Example Of Joint Cooperation
Written by Syafiq AffendyWednesday, 07 October 2009 08:35
Bandar Seri Begawan – The Kenali Negara Kitani (KNK) campaign targets three key concepts – promotion of domestic tourism, awareness of tourism as a key industry in the future, as well as a career possibility.
Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Brunei Tourism, yesterday led a group of officers from the Brunei Tourism Development Department and several members of the media to one of the 10 ‘must go’ KNK locations, the Sumbiling Eco Village (SEV) in the Temburong District.
SEV is located 15km away from Bangar Town, and one can reach the area in 20 minutes by bus.
Leslie Chiang, Managing Director of Hasa Incentives Sdn Bhd, said that before the roads were built, residents of Kg Sumbiling had to walk through thick forest for two days and one night to reach Kg Sumbiling.
SEV is an eco-tourism project, situated right next to a calm and beautiful Temburong River and surrounded by an abundance of local fruit trees. Modern clean toilets, traditional Iban huts, campsite with electricity, shower rooms and jungle herbs trail have all been well thought of in efforts to ensure the success of SEV.
During an interview with the CEO of Brunei Tourism, he said SEV possesses a very big potential as he and his officers have now experienced first hand the uniqueness of SEV.
“I do think that this place will be a success,” said Sheikh Jamaluddin.
“Moreover, we can see here that the village people and community are cooperating with the private sector and in this case, Hasa Incentives Sdn Bhd, to promote SEV. As we can see for ourselves the partnership is providing sustainable tourism as the benefits and profits will also go to the village people and not solely to the tour operators and this is very big,” he said.
“The local community and the tour operator are experiencing a win-win situation and this is something that I would like to make an example to other places in Brunei so that our tour operators do not take advantage of the local people. Here is a very good example where they are working together,” added the CEO of Brunei Tourism.
Sheikh Jamaluddin also touched on the Brunei Tourism Development Department’s initiatives to help beautify SEV. “On behalf of the Tourism Development Department, we will work to beautify this place such as providing proper signboards, as well as to repair the facilities here and also other areas that we can cooperate in.
“Temburong District is our eco tourism area – pristine, beautiful and green forests, as well as village residents who are very hospitable – and we have received a lot of positive feedback from tourists and I am happy to be able to personally see this area and meet with the residents, as well as the opportunity to savour the first-class freshly cooked food.
“I was very impressed, it was a very good experience and I would recommend to anyone especially the public to try it out, which will also directly support the KNK campaign to further raise the public’s awareness regarding the many fun activities that can be done in the country,” said Sheikh Jamaluddin.
Those who are interested can contact Brunei Tourism at 2382822 or their website www.bruneitourism.travel, or Hasa Incentives Managing Director Leslie Chiang at 8766796 or 2423332.
Sheikh Jamaluddin went on to explain the importance of developing the tourism sector, which has been thriving in neighbouring countries Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Tourism has a huge potential not only to be one of the nation’s source of income, but the most important factor is the number of job opportunities that it can provide at every level. This is very good for nation building. That’s why so many heads of states prioritise the tourism industry,” he said.
The department is also taking steps to resolve any problems faced related to tourism, and one of the main issues raised by the CEO of Brunei Tourism was the conditions of public restrooms.
“The restrooms in our country have to be improved so that tourists and even our people will feel comfortable when using them, and this is a project that we will be doing.
“Lack of signboards to help direct visitors to tourist attractions, as well as transportationwise where it is still not easy to find transportation at proper cost. So now that we know the weaknesses, we will analyse them and make these weaknesses into our strengths,” he added.
– Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin