Brunei Darussalam, the Abode of Peace

INTRODUCTION
The Blogger is base on World Tourism in Brunei. The Tourism Industry in Brunei, Tourist spending in Brunei per year, Transport System like what do tourist use, accommodation and catering such as restaurants in Brunei, culture in Brunei and what sort of activities that usually held in Brunei, shopping in Brunei and places of interest. The Blogger also link with some picture to give full idea to the viewers and the information are mostly gain from Internet research and books that related to Tourism in Brunei.

This Blogger includes:
The Tourism Industry in Brunei
Tourist spending in Brunei
Transport System
Accommodation and Catering
Culture and Activities
Shopping and Scenery


THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN BRUNEI

Besides export-oriented activities, tourism also one of the industries that being promoted as part of the overall diversification programme. In order to strengthen the development of the tourism industry, a tourism master plan has been commissioned and implemented. The master plan outlined strategies for promoting the industry that includes the provision of facilities, places of interest and development of human resource in spearheading the industry.
The travel and tourism industry in Brunei has been showing promising signs of further growth although it is still in its infancy. Under the new marketing campaign launched by the Brunei Tourism Board earlier in the year, the board aims to create 13, 000 new jobs by increasing the number of tourists coming in to Brunei. So far, the campaign seems to be working. As of late, tourists' arrivals in Brunei have soared. Just recently, 108 Italian bankers from Ras Bank visited the country, giving the country high marks on all aspects.

According to Sheik Jamaluddin Sheik Mohamed, Director of Brunei Tourism, tourism is a catalyst to investment because if they can bring investors to like Brunei as a tourist first, then they're more likely to invest in Brunei. And what they’ve been doing all these years is coming to fruition. But now, the world is getting to know more about Brunei through Brunei’s trade shows that they've been going to, showing them pictures, telling them more about Brunei, conveying with the local press. But it's not only the tourism board that is heavily promoting the country. Even local travel agencies are doing their bit. One such agency has set up a website over the internet about Brunei while another agency has a tourism division to cater to tourists. And business has been brisk.

The tourism industry is an extremely competitive industry. More and more destinations are emerging and vying for the same tourists and what makes Brunei different from other is the country's greatest asset more than anything else which is the people. Coupled alongside the great eco-tourism and cultures, Brunei is truly a unique destination. And even Singapore's Tourism Board Area Director agrees. Brunei is certainly one location to consider. Travel and tourism will, no doubt, remain on the forefront. At the same time, it is expected that the country can expect potential investments as a result of the increased in tourists. The prime requirement of any investors is security and stability. And when they come to Brunei, they know Brunei is very stable country. And that is the first step towards luring them to invest in Brunei.

TOURIST SPENDING IN BRUNEI

Due to confidentially information could not be given about the tourist spending. However Brunei recorded around million foreign visitors in 2003, the vast majority arriving from Malaysia through land entry points. The current statistics however do not indicate clearly how many of these arrivals correspond to tourists as per the internationally recognized destination.

Based on estimate deprived from hotel occupancy rates and on market intelligence gathered from inbound operators, Brunei Tourism estimates the number of bona fide leisure and business tourists to be around 100,000 in 2003, with a 3 days average length of stay and coming mostly from the short and medium haul markets, although with a significant portion coming from haul markets, mainly UK and Germany.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Many of Brunei's attractions lie within walking distance of each other in the heart of the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. A comprehensive public bus system serves the capital and other destinations.Taxis Metered taxis are available at most hotels, shopping centres and the airport. In the capital, taxis are located at the Jalan Cator car park.

Metered Taxi Fare and Rates
The 1st kilometre or less from 6am to 9pm
B$3.00
The 1st kilometre or less from 9pm to 6am
B$4.50
Additional 200 metres or less
B$0.20
Every minute of waiting
B$0.20

Airport Taxi Service Fare and Place
A. Fare from 6am to 11pm
B. Fare from 11pm to 6am

D'Anggerek Service Apartment
A. B$10.00
B. B$15.00
Orchid Garden Hotel
A. B$10.00
B. B$15.00
International Convention Centre
A. B$10.00
B. B$15.00
Muara Town
A. B$25.00
B. B$38.00
Serasa Ferry Terminal
A. B$26.00
B. B$39.00
Serasa Beach
A. B$28.00
B. B$42.00
Seri Lambak Complex
A. B$13.00
B. B$20.00
Sheraton Utama Hotel
A. B$15.00
B. B$23.00
Capital Hotel
A. B$16.00
B. B$24.00
Jubilee Hotel
A. B$16.00
B. B$24.00
Brunei Hotel
A. B$16.00
B. B$24.00
Yayasan SHHB Complex
A. B$16.00
B. B$24.00
Crowne Princess Hotel
A. B$18.00
B. B$27.00
Complex Mohammad Yussof
A. B$18.00
B. B$27.00
Abdul Razak Hotel Apartment
A. B$18.00
B. B$27.00
Riverview Hotel
A. B$12.00
B. B$18.00
Gadong Centrepoint
A. B$13.00
B. B$20.00
Traders Inn
A. B$14.00
B. B$21.00
SEAMEO VOCTECH International House
A. B$15.00
B. B$23.00
Goodview Hotel
A. B$25.00
B. B$38.00
Holiday Lodge
A. B$25.00
B. B$38.00
Asma Hotel
A. B$25.00
B. B$38.00
Jerudong Park Playground
A. B$25.00
B.B$38.00
The Empire Hotel and Country Club
A. B$25.00
B. B$38.00
Tutong Town
A. B$40.00
B. B$60.00
Seaview Hotel, Kuala Belait
A. B$75.00
B. B$113.00
Sentosa Hotel, Kuala Belait
A. B$75.00
B. B$113.00

Car Rentals Self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars are available for hire from major hotels and the airport.

Name and Contact Number
1. Avis Rent-A-Car
+673 242 6345 / 244 2284 / 244 6380 / 242 4921

2. Branch - Sheraton Utama Hotel
+673 222 7100

3. Azizah Car Rental
+673 222 9388 / 785 9888 / 881 8880

4. Booklink
+673 244 6380

5. Budget-U-Drive
+673 234 5573 / 4

6. Ellis and Sukma Car Rental
+673 242 7238 / 242 3777 / 875 0285

7. Hani Car Rental
+673 261 1666 / 883 7845

8. Hertz Rent-A-Car
+673 245 2244

Buses
There are six bus routes serving Bandar Seri Begawan, with buses running every 15 to 20 minutes. Fares start from B$1.00.Buses to other major towns such as Seria and Kuala Belait depart from the bus terminal located at the Jalan Cator car park in downtown Bandar

Boat
Water TaxisWater taxis are the most common means of getting to Kampong Ayer and can be hailed from numerous 'docking ports' along the banks of the Brunei River. Regular water taxis also run to Temburong district as well as the Malaysian towns of Limbang, Lawas, Sundar and Labuan. Ferry Services Car and passenger ferry services to the Malaysian island of Labuan depart from Serasa Terminal in Muara. The journey ordinarily takes one and a half hours.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

There is a wide choice of hotels, guesthouses and serviced apartments in the capital and throughout the country. Hotel accommodation in Brunei Darussalam caters to all types of visitors, from luxury to business to tourist class. From the impeccable elegance of the “7-star” Empire Hotel & Country Club or the business refinement and efficiency of the Sheraton Utama, to a number of mid-range and budget hotels and guesthouses throughout the nation, visitors will be greeted with friendly service and Brunei’s trademark hospitality.

Luxury Resort Accommodation
Empire Hotel & Country Club
T : 2418888
http://www.theempirehotel.com/
sales@theempirehotel.com

Sheraton Utama Hotel
T : 2244272
www.sheraton.com/utama
sheraton@brunet.bn

Business and Tourist Class Accommodation

The Centrepoint
T : 2430430
http://www.arhbrunei.com/
centrepoint@arhbrunei.com

Orchid Garden Hotel
T : 2335544
http://www.orchidgardenbrunei.com/
ogh@brunet.bn

Riverview Hotel
T : 2238238
www.mybruneihotels.com/riverview-hotel
rivview@brunet.bn

Brunei Hotel
T : 2242372
http://www.bruneihotel.com.bn/
bruhot@brunet.bn

Terrace Hotel
T : 2243554
http://www.terracebrunei.com/
terrahtl@brunet.bn

Jubilee Hotel
T : 2228070
www.mybruneihotels.com/jubilee-hotel
jubilee@brunet.bn

Traders Inn
T : 2442828
www.mybruneihotels.com/traders-hotel
tradersinn@brunet.bn

The Holiday Lodge
T : 2611618
http://www.theholidaylodge.com/
sales@theholidaylodge.com

Goodview Hotel
T : 2612168
www.mybruneihotels.com/goodview-hotel
rivview@brunet.bn

Capital Hotel
T : 2223561
www.mybruneihotels.com/capital-hotel

Serviced Apartments
D'Anggerek Service Apartment
T : 2345222
www.danggerek.com
inquiry@danggerek.com

Abd Razak Hotel Apartments
T : 2241536
http://www.arhbrunei.com/
arp@arhbrunei.com

Guethouses
Nazira Guesthouse
T : 2612053
www.marimari.com/hotel/brunei/nazira
hmarzuqi@brunet.bn

K.H Soon Services And Rest House
T : 2222052
http://http://khsoon-resthouse.tripod.com
khsoon_resthouse_brunei@hotmail.com

Seameo Voctech Intn'l House
T : 2447992
www.voctech.org.bn/2004/vih.htm
voctech@brunet.bn

Asean-EC
T : 2445851
www.aseanec.org/rentalfacility.htm
enquiries@aseanec.org

Pusat Belia (Youth Hostel)
T : 2223936 / 2222900
http://www.bruneiyouth.org.bn/
jbsbelia@brunet.bn

Places to eat (Catering)

Options for eating out in Brunei range from informal and casual eateries to more established restaurants and haute cuisine.

Hawker-Style Food
Hawker Centres offer fine local delicacies at very reasonable prices. Favourite dishes include satay, noodles, rice, whole roasted chicken, grilled fish and steamboats.
Hawker food can be found in downtown areas of all four districts and in a purpose-built complex next to Jerudong Park. After a day spent shopping at the Yayasan SHHB Complex, why not visit GLO Food Court which offers a variety of food, from local favourites like chicken rice and laksa to Indian and Western food. There also Wisma Setua Food Court, downtown Bandar for a wide selection of local and International fare at reasonable prices. In Gadong, there is an indoor food Centre on the ground floor of Jaya Hypermart, Food Court on the top of the Mall and Food Zone at Gadong Properties Centre which offers a variety of food, ranging from dim sum to steak.

Restaurant Dining – ASIAN
Gadong has a good mix of restaurants offering ASIAN cuisine. This includes Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Indian, Thai and Japanese food as well as speciality outlets for seafood and Nyonya cuisine. Many are family-run enterprise with comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Downtown Bandar also has many kedai makan (local eateries) and good seafood restaurants can be found along Jalan Muara and in Muara Town, tutong, Seria nad Kuala Belait.

Restaurant Dining – Western
The major hotels all have cafes which serve a mixture of Asian and Western meals and sumptuous value-for-money buffets. Deals restaurant at the Sheraton Utama specializes in fusion cuisine. Fratini’s Restaurant next to the Yayasan SHHB Complex offers authentic Italian food like mamma used to make.

Fast Food
Fast Food has really caught on in Brunei Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonalds all have outlets in the city and at Jerudong Park, Jollibee, Sugar Bun and Express fastfood are local equivalents. Most Restaurants open until about 9 or 10pm and reservations may be required at weekends, especially in hotels and thr larger Chinese restaurants and during public hgolidays.

CULTURE AND ACTIVITIES

Brunei's Culture

Bruneians are predominantly Malay, and customs, beliefs and pastimes are very similar to those of Peninsular Malaysia. Adat, or customary law, governs many of the country's ceremonies; there is even a government department responsible for preserving ceremony and advising on protocol, dress and heraldry.
Brunei is a fairly strict Muslim country and a Ministry of Religious Affairs fosters and promotes Islam. The constitution does, however, allow for other religions to be practised. The official language is Malay, but English is widely spoken. Jawi, Malay written in Arabic script, is taught in schools, and most signs in the country are written both in Jawi and Roman script.
During the height of the Brunei sultanates, brass and silver artisans produced finely designed brass gongs, cannons and household vessels. They were often embossed with designs of serpents and animals or verses from the Koran. Many crafts failed to survive the decline of the sultanate, but silverwork and weaving are two traditional crafts that have been preserved.

People

About two-thirds of the population of Brunei is Malay. Minorities include migrants from China, and India, and various indigenous peoples, such as the Dayak, Iban, and Belait. The capital and chief town is Bandar Seri Begawan. In the late 1980s the population was increasing at an annual rate of 8 per cent, reflecting a high level of immigration.
Language

The official language is Malay, but English is also used for official purposes.
Religion

Islam is the state religion, and the majority of the people are Muslim. The remainder adhere to Buddhism, Christianity, or indigenous religions.

Activities that visitor can do and participated in

Golf
Golf is a popular game in Brunei with an international-standard 18-hole par 72 golf course at Brunei Muara District. It is situated at Jalan Pengkalan Sibabua. There are other courses at the Royal Brunei Golf, the Country Club at Jerudong Park, and the Panaga Golf Club in Seria. For those interested in practicing their game, there is a driving range at the Royal Brunei Sports Complex near the Airport.

Bowling
Bowling enthusiasts can head on down to the Utama Bowling Alley on Jalan Tutong in the capital city.

Tennis
Name your surfaces: Clay? Synthetic grass? Cement? You can find these courts at the Youth and Welfare Sports Complex on Jalan Berakas.

Swimming
For a small entry fee, you can access the public swimming pools at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan and at the Mumong Sports in Kuala Belait.

Squash
You can enjoy a game of squash at the public courts at the National Stadium. The courts are open daily except on Fridays and Sundays. Bookings can be made at the stadium for a moderate fee.

Windsurfing and Kayaking
Hire your boards at the Royal Brunei National Wind Surfing Association at Serasa Beach and surf your hearts out! For those who want a gentler watersport, you can also hire kayaks from the same place.

Snooker
There are a few snooker clubs at various places at the heart of the city.

Scuba Diving
The dive club meets at the Anggerek Desa swimming pool in Bandar Seri Begawan on Monday nights at 8 p.m. it is an active dive club. If you would like to go for a dive, there are private operators who run boat trips to Brunei Bay at weekends. They also offer kit hire, guided dives and courses.

Most of the holidays or festivals in Brunei are religious celebrations. These days are the ones that mark the anniversaries of important dates in the history of the country. Similar to their neighboring countries, dates of most religious festivals are not fixed as they are based on the Islamic calendar. Some of the fixed holidays are as below:

New Year's Day - January 1 / National Day - 23 February / First Day of Hijrah 1419 - 28 April Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces - 31 May / Prophet Mohammad's Birthday - 6 July / Sultan's Birthday - 15 July / Christmas Day - 25 December

Shopping and scenery in Brunei

Buneians love to shop, and shopping is one of everyone’s favourite leisure time activities. These days, with shopping complexes popping up throughout the nation’s four districts, shopping opportunities in Brunei are beginning to draw an international audience as well.

Shoppers are generally spoilt for choice in Brunei. From traditional markets and tiny boutique shops to huge shopping complexes, visitors and locals alike will find opportunities to indulge their shopping fancy. Offering a wide variety of goods at incredibly competitive prices, shoppers can pick up anything ranging from market trinkets sold at 50 cents to chandeliers and antique furniture priced at a few thousand dollars.

There are many unique treasures that can be found in Brunei, including earthenware ornaments, gilded curios, exotic furniture designs, Chinese urns, brocade tablecloths, mats and door hangings, Indian finery, Thai haute couture, the latest electronics – all of these and more can be found tucked away in some corner of a dusty shop or glittering department store.

It is easy to shop in the Sultanate because all major credit cards (American Express, VISA, Diner’s Club and MasterCard) are widely accepted.

Attractin in Brunei (scenery)
About 60,000 people lived in the capital city of Brunei. Bandar Seri Begawan is the only town of any size. The city is neat, clean, and modern with wide roads and extravagant public buildings. Tourists will feel awed with the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, one of the most impressive and modern mosques in the East. This giant golden-domed mosque was originally built in 1958 near to the Brunei River in its own artificial lagoon. It was built with pure luxury in mind - the interior is covered with Italian marble walls, plush carpeting and an elevator.

At the Brunei River is Kampung Ayer, a centuries-old collection of 28 water villages built on stilts. 30,000 people inhabit the place and a visit to this place would be a real highlight to any tourists. Kampung Ayer is a strange mix of modern and ancient. Do not miss out on this place!

The capital city also sports some excellent museums. There is the traditional Brunei Museum and the lavish Malay Technology Museum. Here, you will get to see exhibits on water village architecture and the various technologies used by the people who lived in them. Should you wish to visit the Sultan's magnificent palace, you must plan your visit towards the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The Istana Nurul Iman is open to the public then.

If those who are looking for a happening nightlife, this is not the place for them. The streets are almost deserted at 9 pm. Overall, the people are friendly and easy to get along with.

Places of interest in Brunei Darussalam consist of:

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Kampung Ayer
The Royal Regalia Building
Brunei History Centre
The Lapau and Dewan Majlis
Tasek Lama Recreational Park
Tamu Kianggeh
The Istana Nurul Iman and Taman Persiaran Damuan
Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Complex
Silver Jubilee Monument
Bubungan Dua Belas
The Brunei Museum
The Malay Technology Museum
Jerudong Park Playground
Merimbun Heritage Park
Sungai Basong Recreation Park
Wasai Wong Kadir
The Labi Longhouses
Lumut Beach
Oil & Gas Discovery Centre
Kuala Belalong Mini Park
Batang Duri Park
Ulu Temburong National Park

CONCLUSION

Hopefully this blogger will be useful to the viewers especially the visitor or tourist. The information will give idea to the visitor who wish to visit Brunei base on the Brunei and the people itself. Some of the pictures will link you to some attraction places and places in Brunei. As year pass by, we do hope that tourism industry in Brunei will run smoothly and increase the visitor's number.

Brunei Darussalam,