Brunei and Asita Sign MOU to Strengthen Tourism Cooperation

Jakarta – Brunei Darussalam, through its Tourism Development Department, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita) to strengthen relations and expand cooperation in the tourism sector.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding was carried out in Jakarta, Tuesday (14/1/2025), by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei, Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab, and the Chairperson of Asita, N Rusmiati. The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf Bin Haji Metussin also witnessed the signing.

Rusmiati said that her party welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding in order to improve the tourism industry in both countries. She saw it as an opportunity to promote Indonesian tourism to the people of Brunei.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency, the number of Brunei tourists to Indonesia in 2022 was recorded at 4,798 people. However, in 2023, after the Covid-19 pandemic passed, the number increased to 13,518 people. In 2024, (data available only until November) the number approached 14,000. “The interest of Brunei tourists in Indonesia is generally shopping, like tourists from Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Brunei last year was 25,000 people. Minister Dato Seri Setia said that his country is now starting to make tourism a priority sector. He said that last year the number of foreign tourists visiting Brunei was 300 thousand people. This year, Brunei is targeting the number to increase to half a million people. The target is the same as the country’s population.

According to Dato Seri Setia, so far Indonesian tourists to Brunei are generally transit tourists, such as those on the Umrah pilgrimage. One of Brunei’s tourism focuses is Islamic tourism. They are trying to extend the tourist’s stay. In order to make it easier for tourists from Indonesia and vice versa for Bruneian citizens to visit Indonesia, flight routes between Brunei and Indonesia will be added. “Starting next week there will be flights from Brunei to Pontianak (West Kalimantan). So, there will be three routes in total. The two existing routes are Jakarta-Brunei and Surabaya-Brunei,” said Dato Seri Setia.