BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE number of travelseekers who booked their flights at the 11th Abacus Holiday Travel fair’s first day increased by 60 per cent from last year’s first day reception.

Abacus Distribution Systems (Brunei) Sales and Marketing Manager Abd Halim Hj Abd Rahman said the percentage recorded yesterday was more than the reception they had from the previous fair’s first day held in Bridex, Jerudong last year.

While the flurry of visitors made parking in Gadong a prized commodity, the seven travel agencies at the fair in the Centrepoint Hotel were over the moon by the rowdy reception.

Jade Gek Lim of Darussalam Holdings said their 12 days package of the Best of Turkey was their bestseller and at press time, was in the midst of selling out.

She added that Istanbul’s picturesque mosque destinations were popularly followed by December destinations, such as United Kingdom’s London, South Korea and Beijing, China.

According to her, the recent payday and school holidays were the combinations that may have attracted the bees-like crowd.

“People are now thinking about their holidays in December but the main factor is the many attractive offers agencies had on offer today,” she said.

“For example, for Muslim adventurers, it’s the first time Darussalam Holdings offered an 11-day discovery of Islamic Morocco and Spain – the best of both Europe and Africa!” she said.

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) Head of Commercial Services Joan Lim shared her sentiment touching on that more destinations were offered this year namely Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City.

In a previous article, flag carrier RB was set to resume direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam four times a week beginning on October 17, 2014.

She added that RB also lured in plenty of customers with its hourly lucky draw.

Those who entered the draw, lined up near RBA’s booth at every end of an hour, eagerly hoping for their name to be called out.

When The Brunei Times was present, a young girl who already purchased a ticket for another trip hit the jackpot and won herself another trip to Manila, Philippines.

Freme Travel Services Sdn Bhd Tour Consultant Jennifer Kong said that in her five years with the agency the fair yesterday was one of the liveliest turnouts she had been in. “I’m sorry I can’t give you an estimate of how many people booked at our booth because there were just so many people! – our staffs have been attending to customers non-stop,” she said.

Jennifer said the Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong location seemed to be a huge catch because of its centrality to commercial centres.

“People have plenty of options here, if it’s full, they can shop around or eat first so they can come over anytime they are done with their plans,” she said.

“Cruise ships tour are also very popular because in cruise ships, you can sleep in and everyday wake up in another country; peo-ple are starting to realise its unique experience.”

The Brunei Times