Bruneian travel agents who took part as hosted buyers at the recently concluded Global Travel Meet 2025 (GTM 2025) shared encouraging feedback on their participation, underscoring the event’s importance in expanding business networks, discovering new tourism products and reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for Bruneian travellers.
Held from 1 to 3 October 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, GTM 2025 brought together 600 international buyers, 100 media representatives and 400 Malaysian sellers representing hotels, tour operators, airlines and various tourism product providers.
Organised by Tourism Malaysia, the three-day event served as a platform to strengthen global partnerships and pave the way towards Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Among the participating Bruneian buyers were representatives from Straits Central Agencies, Al-Hijrah Travel & Tours, Freme Travel Services and Pan Bright Travel Service.
For General Manager of Straits Central Agencies, Nur Khadijah Abdullah, the event was both productive and inspiring.
“The experience met our company’s goal of discovering more new products to be incorporated into our ongoing Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign with Tourism Malaysia Brunei,” she said.
“We were able to identify packages that align perfectly with what Bruneian travellers are looking for, especially Islamic tours and family-oriented activities.”
She added that one of the most memorable moments was the briefing session for Brunei’s agents and media with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan and the Director General of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Manoharan Periasamy.
It was a meaningful occasion as Brunei was recognised as one of the top five markets contributing to Malaysia’s tourist arrivals, reflecting the strong connection shared between the two countries and motivating continued efforts to promote Malaysia as a destination of choice.
“We are privileged to be one of the 600 hosted buyers from around the world. Our appreciation goes to Tourism Malaysia Brunei for the opportunity to participate in GTM 2025. The event provided a valuable platform to connect with tourism professionals and explore future collaborations,” she continued.
Managing Director of Al-Hijrah Travel & Tours, Shamsul Baharin Abd Rahman described GTM 2025 as a rewarding experience that offered both business opportunities and inspiration.
“Attending GTM 2025 was a valuable experience. It provided access to exclusive deals, personalised advice from industry experts, and opportunities to explore new destinations all under one roof,” he said.
“It’s like a one-stop shop for travel professionals – we could meet partners, discuss new ideas, and identify products suitable for the Bruneian market,” he added.
He further added that Malaysian destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka, Langkawi, Johor and Terengganu remain high in demand among Bruneian travellers, but there is also growing interest in themed travel experiences and cultural immersion.
He also shared that such business networking sessions help them refresh their offerings and update partners on what Bruneian travellers are currently looking for. GTM also provided a fresh perspective on how to strengthen existing connections and explore new areas of collaboration.
From Freme Travel Services, Outbound Operations Manager Sharon Hiew praised the event’s collaborative environment and insightful product showcases.
“It was a great event for travel professionals to connect, exchange ideas and explore new opportunities,” she said.
“There was a truly positive, collaborative atmosphere throughout. Meeting directly with Malaysian tourism representatives and product owners gave us a deeper understanding of the experiences they offer.”
Sharon further noted that her team discovered new eco-tourism and wellness tourism options that could resonate with Bruneian travellers.
For Jia Wei, Tour Executive at Pan Bright Travel Service, GTM 2025 was a comprehensive and eye-opening experience.
“First and foremost, we would like to extend our gratitude to Tourism Malaysia for inviting Pan Bright to participate in this major event,” she said.
“The itinerary was extensive and offered a wide variety of booths for us to explore. It gave us a good overview of Malaysia’s current tourism products, especially the range of hotels and resorts.”
While noting that booth arrangements could be better organised in future editions, Jia Wei appreciated the cultural touches that made the event memorable.
“The dinners at Sunway and MITEC were amazing. The Spice Market theme at MITEC was a unique and interactive approach that showcased Malaysia’s cultural diversity, while the performances at Sunway were enlightening and beautifully presented,” she shared.
Brunei remains one of Malaysia’s key tourism markets, driven by proximity, cultural similarities and strong bilateral ties. The participation of Bruneian buyers at GTM 2025 reflects the continued confidence and interest in Malaysia’s tourism offerings, particularly as both nations gear up for Visit Malaysia 2026.
Through their engagements at GTM 2025, Bruneian travel agencies have not only strengthened partnerships with Malaysian tourism players but also gained new insights and products to enrich their travel offerings back home.
THE BRUNEIAN | KUALA LUMPUR
