http://www.atfbrunei.com/hostcountry.php

ATF. The 12th Asean Tourism Forum whose next destination will be in Brunei Darussalem January 21st-28th. For me its the possibility of a return to this under estimated and exclusive tourism and travellers destination.

Picture of perhaps the most famous mosque in Brunei

My introduction to the ATF’s started many years ago in this very location and it will be an interesting journey to re-visit the country where it all started and observe their development of a highly specialised tourism and travellers industry twelve years later. 

The mosque early morning mists.

Brunei Darussalem, often referred to as the abode of peace, a rarity in these days of political turmoil.  This small oil rich royal sultanate offers some of the most protected and unexplored rainforests of the world, many undiscovered species still exist and are found on a regular basis here and in it’s surrounding  neighbouring countries.

It’s the perfect location for more mature and appreciative travellers who are eco-friendly orientated, enjoy a relaxed and culture rich environment supported by lavish luxury hotels as too budget establishments of good quality, which is often a welcomed companion to the more westernised,vibrant locations of Kutching and Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. The location of Brunei centred in the upper portion of the island of Borneo is ideally placed to piggyback travellers needs whilst offering excellent sporting and photographic opportunities, eco-tourism jungle walks and sight-seeing at a relaxed pace in a safe environment. Forest Ginseng is commonly spotted in the jungles,  a sign of well established yet protected ancient forested land.

Travellers can journey by air, road or water to explore this abode of peace currently marketed as Asian’s green heart  for the purpose of the 2010 Asean ATF convention.