The Global Tourism Business Association will hold its B2B Global Travel Exchange and Roadshow in Brunei from July 22 to 23, 2024 with the goal of facilitating business to business exchange among tourism stakeholders from both countries.
The event, which was organized in collaboration with One Klik Events, Association of Travel Agents Brunei, Malay Aklan-Boracay local government, BITATOA and Megaworld—will host around 200 exhibitors, buyers, and sellers from Brunei and the Philippines.
The travel roadshow is also part of GTBA’s projects to “strengthen global connections.”
GBTA President Michelle Taylan flew to Brunei last month for a meeting with Philippine ambassador Marian Jocelyn-Tirol Ignacio, Brunei acting Director for Tourism Development Yang Mulia Dayang Salinah Binthi Haji Mohd Salleh, and tourism sector representatives.
“We’re excited to take our B2B Global Travel Exchange and Roadshow to Brunei and help push two-way travel between our two countries,” Taylan said.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of room to grow inbound travel for both the Philippines and Brunei,” she adds. “It’s only a two-hour travel and also visa-free.”
Taylan said bilateral tourism between the Philippines and Brunei faces some challenges, which the GTBA hopes to address through its programs.
Last year, the Philippines logged 5.5 million arrivals, with only around 6,600 Bruneians visiting.
The Department of Tourism is eyeing 7.7 million arrivals for 2024, along with more tourists from Brunei after the signing of a memorandum on tourism cooperation last May.
“We want to see more Bruneians visit the Philippines. This is also a chance for the Philippines to improve its halal tourism offers. This is definitely a growth area for the country. We need to be able to compete in terms of catering to our Muslim travelers,” Taylan said.
