DOT eyes direct flights from Brunei capital to Cebu, Clark

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing to have direct flights from Bandar Seri Begawan to other areas in the Philippines and not just its capital, Manila.

At the sidelines of the Philippine Business Forum in Berkshire Hall, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said the agency is eyeing to have direct flights from Bandar Seri Begawan to Cebu and Clark.

''As of the moment, we do have our local carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific that already fly and of course, there's Royal Brunei Airlines as well, but 'yung goal po natin, 'yung connectivity po natin ay hindi lamang papunta sa Manila kung hindi diretso po papunta sa ating mga tourism destinations such as Cebu and Clark,'' Frasco told reporters. 

(Our goal is to have flights not just going to Manila but also to other tourist destinations such as Cebu and Clark.)

She said the DOT would work with the Department of Transportation regarding route development to achieve this plan. 

''That's something that we will work very hard on,'' Frasco said. 

Meanwhile, Frasco also said Muslim-friendly and halal tourism is being enhanced between Manila and Bandar Seri Begawan. She mentioned that there are calls from envoys to make Boracay Island a halal-friendly place. 

''With this, we are now in talks with Boracay local government unit as well as the Department of Tourism to respond also to the request of our ambassadors to offer halal-friendly tourism in Boracay,'' Frasco said. 

The Philippines and Brunei signed a deal which aims to increase tourist arrivals to or through both countries from world tourist-generating markets and encourage a wider distribution of visitors to the various tourist destinations and attractions in both countries. 

In 2023, the DOT recorded 6,639 visitor arrivals from Brunei, majority of whom visited the Philippines for leisure travel or vacation.

To recall, the last tourism cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam was signed 13 years ago.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News