IT WAS a dream come true for 17 local kids from underprivileged families in the Brunei-Muara District when they left the country on Thursday to the Republic of Korea.
Their first time on an aircraft, the children are on a sponsored field trip to Korea, a courtesy extended by Sinar Tour Sdn Bhd who organised the trip with the support of the Korean Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), Sinar Holdings, Dongwon Food and Beverages (Korea), At-Taqwa Travel Tours Sdn Bhd and Aewon Company.
The 11 to 16-year-olds are currently undergoing a special programme tailored to enhance their skills and talents to help them become successful in the future.
In an interview, participants Nur Amalia Mahirah binti Mohd Ridwan, Nur Azira binti Hazman and Noja Ain Maizurah binti Jaini expressed their excitement to be on a plane for the first time.
“This is my first time on a plane and I feel a bit nervous yet excited,” said Nur Amalia, a secondary school student.
Nur Azira added, “I can’t wait to go to Korea. We always see Korea in dramas. Now, I can really experience Korea for myself.
VISITORS from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the first At-Taqwa Inbound Group Tours arrived at the Brunei International Airport (BIA). Offering a four-day package from August 11 to 14 for about 25 people, the package aimed to boost the tourism industry in Brunei as well as promote the local programme ‘Kenali Negara Kitani’ (KNK, or Know Our Country).
SOME 100 corporate clients, customers and invited guests attended the At-Taqwa Travel Tours Eid Mubarak open house yesterday at the At-Taqwa Office, Tungku Link, Rimba, Gadong.
At-Taqwa Chief Operations Offi-cer Haji Shamsul Baharin bin Haji Abdul Rahman shared that it was the second time At-Taqwa hosting the open house.
The event aimed at showing appreciation towards its clients and business partners for their support over the years and also to provide an opportunity to interact with clients and acquire some feedback to improve the agency’s services, he added.
A PRIZE presentation ceremony was held yesterday, for the customers of At-Taqwa Travel Tours who had bought tickets at the Sabre Brunei Travel Fair on September 2-4, 2016; and the Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) Belait Travel Fair on March 4-5, this year.
The grand prize of an Umrah package was won by Azmin bin Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Ahmad.
Tajul Rizal bin Zainal Abidin won the second prize of air tickets to Kuala Lumpur, while Roziana binti Kahar took the third prize of a four-day stay at The Rizqun International Hotel.
The fourth-place winner was Hajah Masrurah, who won a Fitbit Blaze watch.
The prizes were presented by Pengiran Fakhrulrazi bin Pengiran Haji Omarali, the Head of the Haji and Umrah Department.
Among those in attendance were Pengiran Haji Rosdimar bin Pengiran Haji Omarali, the Managing Director of At-Taqwa Travel Tours; Awangku Mohd Nassiruddeen bin Pengiran Haji Yussof, the Chief Financial Officer; Haji Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the Chief Operating Office; and also representatives from RB and Sabre Brunei.
At-Taqwa Travel Tours’ third participation in the travel fair roadshow highlights the company’s progress in the highly competitive travel segment, during which 482 air tickets were purchased.
MEMBERS of the public looking for attractive airfares and other attractions to go on a holiday can visit the 12th Belait Travel Fair hosted by Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) at the Pusat Insani, Seria from March 4 to 5.
Twenty five stalls will be occupied by RB, travel agents – Anthony Tours, Century Travel, Darussalam Holdings, Freme Travel Services, Pan Bright Travel Services, Southern Cross and At-Taqwa Travel Tours, local banks Baiduri Bank, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) and Standard Chartered Bank as well as Jerudong Park Country Club Sdn Bhd.
Addressing a press conference, RB Marketing Manager Alirahim bin Haji Rani said the travel fair will serve as an appreciation to loyal customers and will provide a platform for local travel agents to promote their products and services from RB.
He said beside travel agents and banks, Jerudong Park Country Club Sdn Bhd was participating in the two-day event for the first time to promote its products and services.
He said in addition to promoting travel destinations, travel agents will also promote Brunei inbound products to support Brunei’s tourism initiatives.
RB Head of Asia Sales Aji Puteh said the promotions will cover a period of travelling up to November 23, 2017.
“In the two-day period, we will showcase promotional fares for long and short haul destinations for both economy and business class,” he said.
RB’s Country Manager, (Brunei) Evelyn Ang said numerous destinations are on offer from RB through the participating travel agents.
“The fares are extremely attractive and destinations on offer are London, Dubai, Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Surabaya, Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City and Bali. For the first time Kota Kinabalu is also included in the travel fair following numerous feedback from the public,” she said.
Meanwhile, Senior Manager of Sabre Travel Network, Abdul Halim bin Abdul Rahman is supporting the travel fair by providing over 35 terminals for travel agents.
Sabre Travel Network will also contribute two lucky draw prizes for the event and also showcase consumer end product.
Meanwhile, Baiduri Bank Head of Retail Banking and Branch Network, Pengiran Azaleen bin Pengiran Dato Haji Mustapha, said this is the 12th year Baiduri Bank is participating in the event.
“We want to add value to our clients and travel agents as well as RB by giving rewards like preferred seat, extra baggage allowance and Royal Skies Miles to all successfully purchased fares by Baiduri cardholders,” he said.
BIBD Manager of Promotion Campaign Development and Event, Ahmad Fidaus bin Pehin Dato Haji Salim said BIBD was giving away 33,000 Royal Skies Miles to five customers in conjunction with the national day and the first 20 customers who successfully apply for BIBD Credit Card during the fair will get 20,000 Royal Skies Miles.
Freme Travel Services sources said during the Belait Travel Fair, it will offer attractive prices for group departure and tours to Europe and exclusive holiday deals for Royal Caribbean Cruise and also Dream Cruise.
Freme Travel Services will offer early bird booking for new destinations and special prices for the March school holiday to Korea with RB. A daily draw with 25,000 Royal Skies Miles and instant lucky dips are also on offer.
Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd (DHSB) will kick start its latest DHSB 2017 lucky draw where the first prize include two Umrah packages or two packages for six days and five nights to any European destination.
The second prize is two packages to any destination within Australia while the third prize is any destination in Asean member countries for two packages.
Among the main lucky draw prizes are RB’s grand draw where customers who purchased RB fares at the Belait Travel Fair are automatically entitled to win two return tickets to Dubai and two return tickets to Melbourne.
The daily lucky draw will see four return economy tickets to Shanghai, Bali, Jakarta and Bangkok as well as four 10,000 Royal Skies Miles and merchandise.
The Butterfly Cube Game will be open to customers who purchase tickets with the minimum spending of $500 at the fair. Prizes include discount vouchers for the next purchase with RB and merchandise.
A social media quiz will be uploaded on RB social media channels where participants will hunt for the answer at the Belait Travel Fair.
