(Bandar Seri Begawan, 7th) From January to June 2026, Brunei recorded nearly 400,000 visitor arrivals, a 7.8% increase compared to 370,000 visitors in the same period of 2025.
Among them, sea arrivals showed the most significant growth, with an increase of nearly 70%, indicating continued growth potential in the cruise tourism sector.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Abdul Manaf, announced these visitor increase figures on the third day of the second session of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo).
He made these remarks in response to a question from Legislative Council member Dato Haji Mahari Haji Momin regarding the indicators used to assess the effectiveness of tourism promotion measures.
Speaking on tourism revenue growth, Manaf stated that the main goal of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is to increase the economic value brought by each visitor.
He said: “In the first six months of 2026, total tourism revenue is estimated to reach about BND 158 million, an increase from approximately BND 114 million in the same period of 2025. This shows that the growth of the tourism industry is directly contributing to the national economy.”
Regarding the performance of the tourism sector and related industries, he noted that the ministry also continuously monitors tourism-related sub-sectors, including hotels, the food and beverage industry, and travel agencies.
He said that although the average hotel stay dropped from about three days to two days, hotel revenue still grew by about 17%, rising from around BND 17 million to BND 20 million, indicating that tourism activities continue to create significant economic value for the industry.
He stated that the performance of restaurants, hotels, and travel agencies is also an important indicator to measure the extent of tourism benefits flowing to local businesses, and is therefore closely monitored.
As for the effectiveness of tourism promotion investments and the return on investment (ROI), Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Abdul Manaf said the ministry continuously uses data provided by marketing partners and digital tourism platforms to assess the effectiveness of each promotional investment.
He noted, for example, that promotional campaigns in cooperation with platforms such as Agoda, Trip, Expedia, and Tripadvisor have generated more than 52 million impressions, significantly enhancing Brunei's visibility in international markets.
He added that these campaigns have also resulted in more than 1,800 room nights booked and nearly 600 bookings, including 63% hotel bookings, 31% flight bookings, and 6% tour package bookings.
He indicated that these data help the ministry more effectively evaluate the return on promotional investments and identify key markets, ensuring each promotional expenditure delivers maximum impact and value.
Among them, sea arrivals showed the most significant growth, with an increase of nearly 70%, indicating continued growth potential in the cruise tourism sector.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Abdul Manaf, announced these visitor increase figures on the third day of the second session of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo).
He made these remarks in response to a question from Legislative Council member Dato Haji Mahari Haji Momin regarding the indicators used to assess the effectiveness of tourism promotion measures.
Speaking on tourism revenue growth, Manaf stated that the main goal of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is to increase the economic value brought by each visitor.
Regarding the performance of the tourism sector and related industries, he noted that the ministry also continuously monitors tourism-related sub-sectors, including hotels, the food and beverage industry, and travel agencies.
He said that although the average hotel stay dropped from about three days to two days, hotel revenue still grew by about 17%, rising from around BND 17 million to BND 20 million, indicating that tourism activities continue to create significant economic value for the industry.
He stated that the performance of restaurants, hotels, and travel agencies is also an important indicator to measure the extent of tourism benefits flowing to local businesses, and is therefore closely monitored.
As for the effectiveness of tourism promotion investments and the return on investment (ROI), Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Abdul Manaf said the ministry continuously uses data provided by marketing partners and digital tourism platforms to assess the effectiveness of each promotional investment.
He noted, for example, that promotional campaigns in cooperation with platforms such as Agoda, Trip, Expedia, and Tripadvisor have generated more than 52 million impressions, significantly enhancing Brunei's visibility in international markets.
He added that these campaigns have also resulted in more than 1,800 room nights booked and nearly 600 bookings, including 63% hotel bookings, 31% flight bookings, and 6% tour package bookings.
He indicated that these data help the ministry more effectively evaluate the return on promotional investments and identify key markets, ensuring each promotional expenditure delivers maximum impact and value.