BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

KAMPUNG Sungai Bunga, one of Kampong Ayer’s modern resettlement villages, will be offering homestay programmes to both local and foreign tourists in Brunei.

The move came after its neighbouring village, Kampung Sungai Matan, was successful in promoting several projects – including its own homestay programme – that paved the way for the village towards becoming a tourist attraction.

The two villages are only five minutes apart by boat.

Pg Hj Abd Rahman Pg Hj Zainal, Acting Head of Kampung Sungai Bunga, yesterday said that six houses are ready to be used for the homestay programme.

Sungai Bunga Homestay can be one of the options for tourists to experience Brunei’s village lifestyle and, at the same time, it will also improve the village’s economy, said the acting village head.

Pg Hj Abd Rahman, who is also head of Kampung Sungai Matan, said that Kampung Sungai Bunga is also becoming a popular tourist attraction for foreign visitors, citing an example of a recent visit by delegates attending the International Food and Biotech Investment Conference.

He added that the Kampung Sungai Bunga Homestay will also provide accommodation facilities to tourists during the five-day annual Matan Carnival held from May 28 to June 1 at Kampung Sungai Matan.

The Kampung Sungai Matan Consultative Council will also be launching its Matan River Cruise at the opening of the carnival.

The cruise along the Brunei River will pass Kampung Sungai Bunga, the Brunei Museum and Kampung Bolkiah.

Pg Hj Abd Rahman said foreign tourists taking part in the river cruise can make use of the homestay facilities in Kampung Sungai Bunga if they are interested in staying.

He encouraged members of the public to visit the carnival in the hopes of promoting the villages’ products towards improving its economy while helping cultivate stronger bonds within the community.

Various side activities ranging from cooking competitions, tug-of-war to a photography competition will be held across the five days at the vicinity of the village head’s house at No 702, Simpang 702, Kampung Sungai Matan and along the Kampung Sungai Matan Bridge in Mukim Kota Batu.

Previously, more than 3,000 visitors participated in the event, said the village head.

The Brunei Times