As part of a promotional push by Brunei Tourism and its industry partners, the National Tourism Organization of Brunei Darussalam is introducing a series of tactical promotions targeted at short-haul markets, starting with Singapore and with a promotion titled “Treasures of Brunei.”

The “Treasures of Brunei” promotion is a collaborative effort between Brunei Tourism and a consortium of five hotels, 3 championship golf courses and 6 tour operators to bring to the Singapore market tour packages offering a variety of holiday experiences that will allow visitors to sample the many facets that Brunei has to offer, from an overview of Brunei to the more specific themes of nature discovery, Malay heritage immersion, as well as a treat for the avid golfer or a relaxing luxury breakaway in palatial surroundings.

With a Singapore–Brunei promotional fare offered by Singapore Airlines, valid until the end of September for bookings made up to August 29, and with special hotel, tour and golf rates provided by the consortium partners, Brunei can be introduced as a holiday option to a wider segment of the Singapore market, starting with the attractive lead-in rate of SGD458.00 per person for a 3D/2N package inclusive of return ticket, accommodation with breakfast, transfers and a city tour.

Golfers in particular are being targeted with this promotion, as among the “Treasures” of Brunei are a number of world-class golf courses, only minutes away from the capital and designed by the likes of Max Wexler, Ronald Freme or Jack Nicklaus, whose signature course at The Empire Hotel and Country Club has been the scene for the Asian Tour sanctioned Brunei Open since 2005. A package called “Brunei, Sultanate of Swing” offers the avid golfer 3 rounds of golf in 3 championship courses, and starts with a lead-in rate of SGD958.00 for a 3D/2N package inclusive of return ticket, accommodation with breakfast, airport and golf transfers, green fees, buggy rental, a night tour with dinner and a city orientation tour with lunch.

With its abundant and pristine rainforest environment covering most of the country and making it “The Green Heart of Borneo,” Brunei is undoubtedly of much appeal to nature lovers, who are being catered to with a package starting at SGD638.00 per person and including excursions to the famous Ulu Temburong National Park and to spot the odd-looking, Borneo endemic Proboscis Monkey in its habitat.

Being one of the cradles of Malay civilization and culture, as well as the last remaining sovereign Malay Islamic Monarchy, Brunei’s Malay heritage and attractions deserve their own package targeted at those with a special interest in learning about the Sultanate’s history, religious outlook and unique governing philosophy. Starting at SGD568.00 per person, this tour program includes visits to magnificent Mosques, museums rich in Islamic exhibits, Royal Mausoleums and a visit to a family’s house in the Water Village.

Brunei, as a wealthy oil-rich Kingdom, is known for its opulence and splendor, nowhere better exemplified as in the palatial architecture of The Empire Hotel and Country Club, Asia’s most unique integrated resort and a Brunei icon, deserving its own package. A luxury package, offering a choice of Suite or Villa accommodation, as well as a choice of a round of golf or a spa treatment, and including a dinner at any of its restaurants and private transfers by limousine, starts at SGD868.00 per person.

Travel agents in Singapore and across the Causeway in Johore Bahru have started selling these “Treasures of Brunei” packages, which are being promoted through tactical advertisements in local newspapers.

Together with other Brunei packages already in the market, the “Treasures of Brunei” holiday experiences will be promoted during the NATAS Travel Fair from 1st to 3rd of August, where those interested can have all their queries answered by tourism officials at the Brunei Tourism stand.

Expectations are that the promotion of these packages will increase awareness and interest in the destination by the market, and will result in Brunei becoming an attractive new vacation option for Singapore residents, as well as being recognized as an original and rewarding destination for meetings and incentives.

With 14,173 Singaporean tourists visiting Brunei last year, an increase of 21% over 2006, the market is the fourth largest for Brunei, which received a total of 178,540 tourists arriving by air in 2007.

Already seeing an increase of almost 25% in arrivals this year, Singapore is among Brunei’s key markets targeted for growth through increased promotional and marketing activities such as the “Treasures of Brunei” promotion.