Brunei's New Jerudong Park: 200,000 Visitors in 8 months

Nadzri Zailani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, January 19, 2015

THE revamped Jerudong Park Playground has attracted more than 200,000 visitors since it reopened eight months ago, said Jerudong Park Country Club’s head of finance.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Hj Jeff Hadiman Dato Paduka Hj Danial said the figures were more than they expected and showed how people sorely missed the amusement park.

“To reach a number like 200,000 was a very happy surprise for us, seeing that the population of Brunei Darussalam is over 400,000 – it is nice to think that half of the population had visited Jerudong Park Playground in less than a year of its re-launch,” he said.

It is not known how many Bruneians accounted for the total number of visitors.

Hj Jeff said November and December had recorded the most number of visitors of over 50,000 visitors, mainly due to its promotion and opening of Brunei’s largest water park last month.

“The highest (daily) attendance that Jerudong Park Playground has achieved so far is around 9,000 visitors. This happened in November last year, which coincided with our very successful November Weekend Promotion,” he added.

Currently the park has over 20 attractions ranging from family-friendly rides such as the Double Decker Carousel and Junior Bumper Cars, to the more thrilling rides such as the Junior Roller Coaster and high-tech Laser Maze.

The head of finance said once a guest has purchased the wristband to enter the park, they are allowed to ride the attractions for an unlimited amount of time throughout the day depending on height and safety restrictions.

“Since the re-launch, the number of times our guests have enjoyed our many attractions at the Playground has totalled an amazing half a million times… With half a million rides already enjoyed so far, I personally can’t wait to celebrate the one millionth ride enjoyed at the Playground since our re-launch,” he added.

He went on to say that their most popular new attractions were the Junior Coaster, the Double Decker Carousel and Brunei’s only ferris wheel, while the water park received an overwhelming response in its opening month.

“Every water park session was fully booked by our guests during December,” he said.

The head of finance added that he would not be surprised if the water park became the most popular attraction at Jerudong Park Playground.

He said the Playground aims to become a destination where people in the country could hold events. “Not only is our Playground available for the public, we are also available for private, corporate and social events as well as birthday parties – so we hope to have more families, groups and organisations looking to us for their next function or event.”

According to the Jerudong Park Facebook Page, the amusement park was initially a gift from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to the Bruneian people in conjunction with his 48th birthday in 1994.

Between 1994 and 2000, the public were allowed free admission into the park and it was known as one of the largest and most expensive amusement parks in Southeast Asia.

Hj Jeff Hadiman said they will focus on continuing the momentum they have had from 2014 and work together with Brunei tourism players to lure more foreigners this year.

“We want to work together with all the stakeholders of Brunei Tourism (travel agents, hotels, government agencies) to ensure we can all benefit from tourists coming to Brunei,” he said.

They also hope to make Jerudong Park one of the most attractive places in Brunei, and a destination not to be missed by tourists.

“There are many beautiful and exciting places to visit in our wonderful country, and it’s our goal to make sure Jerudong Park Playground establishes itself once again as one of these places. We hope Jerudong Park Playground comes to mind to all those who visit Brunei, and is considered one of the “must-sees” on their list,” he said.

Siti Khairunnisa Hj Ramli, a traffic assistant at Royal Brunei airlines, said she wished there were more rides that cater to adults.

“In my opinion, they need some extreme rides for the adult visitors. Most of their current rides mainly target the younger generation, it would be better if they could also cater to thrill seekers who just want to let off steam and have a good time,” said the 24-year-old who has visited the park twice.

She also suggested adding more indoor rides or activities as visitors can still enjoy the Playground during rainy days.

The Brunei Times