Motaz Othman, Brunei

Islamic Tourism Media

Over ten years ago, the 10 Asean countries decided to organize an annual event to promote Travel and Tourism in and between the Asean countries. This year 2010 was in Brunei and took place between 21-28 January 2010 in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan with the participation of more 730 exhibitors, 400 buyers from around the world and 90 international journalists representing Media from around the globe, Islamic Tourism media represent the Middle East.

Brunei DarAssalam, One of the 10 Asean countries with it’s 400,000 population , located in the North part of Borneo island done it’s best to welcome it’s guests and successfully introduced it’s culture, nature to the international buyers and Media, even the Royal family in Brunei was part of the celebrations. TTG Asia the Travex secretariat and event organizer for the event and as always takes very good care of the event and insured very well organization.

Brunei airlines was also part of the event, successfully most of the buyers, exhibitors and media took the flights from Brunei Airlines destinations to the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, from my side, I took the flight with my wife from Dubai in it’s Boeing 767, the flight from Dubai took around 9 hours, meals and hospitality was offered to us in the flight.

Empire Hotel with it’s luxury rooms and Restaurants was the place where we stayed, the experience was really a unique one with the hospitality that offered to us in the Empire Hotel.

Brunei Tourism and TTG media, organized a city tour where all buyers and media took the tour and enjoyed the luxury views in the capital. A complete article about the Bandar Seri Begawan will be published.

This year of ATF was very busy with press Conferences and presentations from the Asean countries, each session was for 45 minutes which is better than 30 minutes as used to be before. 

An Award Presentation took place in the Empire Hotel where over 130 Hotels was recognized as friends for the environment.

Another press conference took place for the ten Asean Tourism Ministers, HE Mr. YB Pehin Dato Yahya, Minister of Industry and primary resources, headed the session where he and their Excellences ministers explained to the Media about the latest program of www.southeastasia.org that will promote the 10 Asean countries. As the only Media representative from the Middle east “ Islamic Tourism media “ I asked a question about the relation and co-operation between Asean countries and the Middle East as both regions share almost same culture, I was answered that Middle East region is very important to Asean countries  and in the near future there will be more focusing to the Middle east region through representatives of Asean countries that have offices in Dubai and the other countries in the Middle East.  

Also another session talk about how Japan, China, Republic of Korea and India can be part of the Asean Forum beside the 10 countries that being now under ATF they are Brunei, Indonesia, campodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines, Myanmar, lawos, Vietnam and Thailand.

The opening ceremony at the Empire Hotel attended by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and other officials, also attended by more than a 1000 delegates, dance performances was presented from different Asean countries. Delegates were very happy to meet His Royal Highness and to shake hands and take photos with HRH. 

The keynote speech titled “Sustainable Tourism in Trans-boundary Conservation Areas” by Indian acclaimed authority on Eco-tourism Hitesh Mehta.

ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTO) started with their media briefings, namely Cambodia, Brunei and Myanmar. Cambodia announced that ATF2011 will be held in the capital Phnom Penh on January 15-21 next year under the theme “ASEAN – A World of Wonders and Diversity. Cambodia Night” at the Empire and Country Club, where held in the evening which was really something very special and wonderful, dances and culture where presented made the delegates looking forward for next year event in Campodia.

Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia made their briefings on the second day followed by a lunch sponsored by Indonesia.          

Philippines and Singapore also brief the media of their latest Travel and Tourism attractions in their countries.

Tourism Malaysia invited all delegates for a luxury dinner show attended by HRH The Princess  with the theme “Partying in Malaysia’s Rainforest” .

The late night function of ATF2010, called “Summer Rave” organised by Amazing Pattaya, Chonburi. 

Viet Nam promoted its 1000 Years Celebration of Thang Long-Ha Noi. Also, Laos and Myanmar also brief the Media.

Brunei handed over the ATF Commemorative Plaque to Cambodia during the closing ceremony.  On hand to receive the plaque was Under Secretary of State Pak Sokhum, who represented the Cambodian Minister of Tourism Dr. Thong Khon to host the event next year.

Several post-tours took place after the event in Brunei and Sarawak.

In general, ATF this year in Brunei was an excellent event in all aspects, the hospitality, the organization and most the nice people of Brunei made the visits of the delegates a unique experience in an Islamic country called Brunei DarAssalam.

Last, I would like to give my thanks for the huge efforts that done by Mr. Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, the Chief Executive officer of Brunei Tourism and his team for the great job, also to thank Mr. Darren Ng, managing Director of TTG Asia and his team in particular Ms. Hanli for the great job in organizing ATF and facilitate our mission.