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NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com Royal Brunei Airlines plays host to travel agents SINGAPORE – Royal Brunei Airlines has organised a familiarisation trip to Brunei for a Malay consortium consisting of representatives from travel agents in Singapore. Royal Brunei Airlines has partnered with the Brunei Tourism Board for this initiative to promote Islamic Tourism in Brunei. To be held from July 9-13, 2012, the fam trip is designed to promote religious aspects and aims to offer the consortium a better understanding of how Islam is practiced in this part of the world. The airline currently operates twice daily flights between Singapore and Brunei. Commenting on the initiative, Lim Guat Wen, country manager Singapore, Royal Brunei Airlines, said: "We are delighted to organise such familiarisation trips as they are one of the best ways to communicate with travel decision makers. It gives them first-hand experience of a destination and its attractions for tourists and other visitors. Brunei is the only remaining sovereign Malay Islamic monarchy and this trip will help the agents guide their customers better when planning a visit there. Brunei is the place to be for Muslims wanting a spiritual retreat away from the hustle and bustle of today's lifestyles. I am sure the consortium agents will enjoy the experience of Brunei and, of course, flying with Royal Brunei Airlines and our unrivalled levels of on-board service." The consortium will enjoy tours of South East Asia's most Panda-monium hits London CHINA – What better way to celebrate July 4th than having some 108 costumed pandas performing a tai chi inspired dance in the middle of Trafalgar Square for you? And that was what happened last week in London, to highlight the launch of Chengdu Panda Awareness Week (PAW). Supported by panda expert and TV wildlife presenter Nigel Marven, PAW is pioneered by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu Panda Base), a world-renowned breeding and research base for giant pandas in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. PAW aims to enhance awareness and support for panda In the Coming Issue... We look at the best apps in travel and tourism. What are your favourites? Drop your comments via email to the Editor or fi nd us on our twitter page, @TravelWeeklyWeb. 8 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 10 JULY 2012 www.travelweeklyweb.com conservation and protection for one of the world's most threatened species. The activity continued till July 6th, which saw the panda posse hosting a 'panda party' in Covent Garden, taking over the London Underground and visiting the city's most famous landmarks. The 108 costumed pandas represent the 108 pandas currently at the Chengdu panda base, which plays a leading role in fostering continued growth of the giant panda population, and rescue and rehabilitation to return them back to their natural habitat. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Chengdu panda base, founded in 1987 when six giant pandas were rescued from The royal residence, Istana Nurul Iman iconic mosques namely Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien and the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, coupled with a showcase of ancient artifacts and relics. Additionally, the tour will also include visits to key historical and spiritual centers, together with shopping hubs. The tour will also include a boat ride offering stunning views of the Royal residence, Istana Nurul Iman, as well as Pulau Ranggu, an island in the middle of the river, which is inhabited by the rare proboscis monkey, native only to Borneo. 108 costumed pandas gathering at Trafalgar Square the wild. Through a dedicated conservation plan, Chengdu now has the largest captive breeding panda population in the world, and aims to increase it from 108 to 150 pandas over the next 10 years. "Our ultimate goal is to help pandas return to their natural habitat and to grow the number of giant pandas living in the wild. We hope that Panda Awareness Week helps us effectively widen the support for panda conservation and fi nd new advocates for this very special cause,"said Zhang Zhihe, director of the Chengdu panda base.

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