Tutong - Tutong‘s famous lake will soon be expecting a hike in the number of visitors, particularly with the signing of an agreement between the Consultative Council of Kampung Tasek Merimbun and Mona Florafauna Tours Enterprise yesterday.
The collaboration between the two parties is the first for the district and is a big step towards the development of an eco-cultural heritage tourism in the country. According to the Managing Director of Mona Florafauna Tours Enterprise, Mohd Daud Adullah, under the agreement they would assist the consultative council in improving the facilities available at Tasek Merimbun.
They would also promote the location by providing tour packages and activities for both domestic and foreign tourists.
The trained tour guide affectionately nicknamed "Jungle Dave"explained that Mona Florafauna Tours Enterprise has been working with members of the consultative council to create day trips for visiting groups to enjoy performances as well as a boat cruise around the lake.
Recently, students from the International School Brunei (ISB) were brought along on a two-day eco-cultural school camp.
"They learned about the culture and tried their hand at the handicrafts," he said.
Kampong Tasek Merimbun has a lot of potential to be a unique tourist spot but its residents were not sure how to package their cultural knowledge and crafts.
Mona Florafauna Tours Enterprise approached the consultative council to get the local community involved while creating opportunities for work, business and showcasing their handicrafts. The agency would then help the village market its products to the public.
In addition, Mohd Daud said that an area for picnics and camping is planned for one of the islands and it should be completed by the middle of next year at the earliest.
Nordin Ahmad from Brunei Tourism said that the partnership would be able to highlight the village‘s potential as a tourist destination to answer the call of the Home Affairs Ministry for "One Product, One Village", and in the hopes that the number of visitors would increase.
While addressing the villagers at the signing ceremony, he reminded them the importance of developing a sustainable and responsible tourist industry which takes into consideration the environment and preservation of the surrounding flora and fauna.
Village head of Kg Tasek Merimbun, Untong Madah told The Brunei Times that the consultative council will be collaborating with villagers to construct a bridge connecting Kampung Tasek Merimbun to the nearest island.
He said that previously a boardwalk was removed after it was discovered that some visitors had removed valuable articles belonging to the deceased buried at the location.
The department of Museums took the island‘ under its institutional protection until recently. The village leader hopes the bridge would be completed next year and that with cooperation form Mona Florafauna Tours Enterprise more visitors would come to its handicraft market which is held at every last Sunday of the month.
In May this year, Mona Florafauna Tours Enterprise had also collaborated with the Kampong Sungai Matan Consultative Council to host the Matan 2007 Carnival.
The event successfully brought in more than 3,000 visitors for the duration of the two-day carnival and raked in over $9,000 as a result of selling the village‘s products and holding activities.
Present at the ceremony yesterday were the acting District Officer of Tutong Hj Ajamain Hj Momin, Penghulu of Mukim Rambai Mohd Khairul Nurul Arsyad Hj Abdul Malek as well as other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Source: www.brudirect.com (24 November 2007)
