AGP Executive Report

ASEAN Soft Power in Motion: Diplomats and embassy staff from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam took to the water in Doha for the Asean Dragon Boat Racing 2026, with the event tied to the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship theme of unity and resilience. Hajj Travel Readiness: Saudi Arabia’s Hajj season calendar is now set after the Dhul Hijjah crescent was confirmed—Arafah on 26 May and Eid al-Adha on 27 May—while pilgrims are being routed through dedicated Hajj terminals and smoother pre-clearance options like the Makkah Route Initiative (now including Brunei). Regional Mobility & Tourism Signals: Oman’s passport edged up in the Henley index, and Singapore’s halal travel momentum keeps building as Muslim arrivals are projected to reach 245m by 2030, with Southeast Asia—including Brunei—highlighted as a key growth market.

Defence & Travel Links: Brunei-relevant ripple effects are in the air as India’s Rajnath Singh kicks off a four-day Vietnam–South Korea trip, aiming to deepen defence industrial ties and maritime cooperation—an Indo-Pacific signal that can shape regional mobility and business confidence. Hajj Calendar Confirmed: The Saudi Supreme Court has confirmed the Dhul Hijjah crescent, setting Arafah for Tue, 26 May and Eid al-Adha for Wed, 27 May—good timing for Brunei travellers planning pilgrim-season schedules. Regional Tourism Momentum: Western Mindanao is pushing harder on cross-border tourism and investment via BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, while Cebu points to its “seamless” ASEAN summit hosting as proof it can attract more international events. Halal Demand Watch: New research flags Muslim travel growth to 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand for safer, more inclusive, digitally enabled experiences—an opportunity for Brunei’s hospitality sector. Transport Practicalities: Singapore tightens rules for foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid fines (VEP denied/renewal blocked from Nov 2), and Philippines fuel surcharges ease to Level 15 for May 16–31, slightly improving travel cost outlook.

Western Mindanao Momentum: Brunei-linked travellers may notice fresh push for investment and ecotourism as the Philippine Retirement Authority team toured ZamboEcoZone in Zamboanga City, highlighting its 16,120-hectare hub and industrial parks aimed at drawing investors and visitors. Passport & Access Updates: Oman’s passport climbed slightly in the Henley Passport Index (May 2026: 55), with visa-free/VOA access to 84 destinations—good news for regional travel planning. Hajj Travel Simplified: Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative expands for Hajj 2026, adding Brunei and Senegal for pre-clearance at home airports, plus dedicated Hajj terminals at Jeddah (18 May–16 June). Halal Tourism Demand: New research projects Muslim arrivals rising to 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand for safer, more inclusive, digitally enabled experiences. Brunei Angle in Deals: Brunei Shell Petroleum support continues via new offshore crew vessel design work tied to regional operations. Singapore Entry Rule Change: Foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid fines will be blocked from VEP applications/renewals from Nov 2, tightening cross-border travel logistics.

Passport Boost: Oman’s passport climbed in the Henley Passport Index for May 2026, moving to rank 55 (up from 57 in January) and giving visa-free/VOA access to 84 destinations—good news for regional travel demand. Hajj Travel Flow: Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative is expanding for Hajj 2026, letting pilgrims from 10 countries (including Brunei for the first time) complete entry steps and baggage handling before boarding, then move straight to dedicated buses on arrival. Halal Tourism Momentum: Singapore’s halal dining scene keeps widening, with halal-certified options growing about 10% a year—while new research flags Muslim travel growth to 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand for safer, more digitally enabled experiences. Brunei-Linked Travel Deals: Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer “Spontaneous Escapes” lists Singapore–Brunei redemptions for June 2026, with bookings open until May 31. Regional Infrastructure Push: BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 is backing a big pipeline of priority projects to strengthen cross-border connectivity, including tourism and trade.

BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035: The sub-region is moving from the original 1994 goal of reviving border trade to a bigger 10-year push adopted at last week’s leaders’ summit—aiming to cut development gaps, speed up connectivity, and turn tourism into a shared ecotourism draw, with private business as the “engine” and governments focused on roads, ports, and policy ease. Muslim travel demand: New research flags Muslim arrivals rising from 186m (2025) to 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving nearly half of demand—pushing destinations to go beyond halal basics toward safety, trust, and digital convenience. Hajj travel ops (Saudi): For Hajj 2026, Saudi’s Jeddah Hajj Terminal runs 18 May–16 June, and the Makkah Route Initiative expands pre-clearance for pilgrims from 10 countries (including Brunei) to reduce airport queues and speed transfers. Regional travel pricing: In the Philippines, airline fuel surcharges drop to Level 15 for May 16–31, easing costs on routes including Brunei. Sports tourism in Brunei’s orbit: Sabah is promoting major events like the Borneo International Marathon and KAR Ultra, while calling for better lighting and road safety to protect visitors.

BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 Funding Push: BIMP-EAGA is moving from the 1994 trade-route idea to a bigger 10-year plan, with 265 priority infrastructure projects worth about $174.6bn adopted at the recent leaders’ summit—aimed at faster connectivity, tourism, and private-sector-led growth across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Halal Travel Momentum: Singapore’s halal food scene keeps expanding, and new research flags Muslim travel growth to 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand for trusted, inclusive, digitally enabled experiences—good news for Brunei’s halal-friendly positioning. Hajj Travel Simplification: Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative is in its 8th year, now including Brunei for 2026, letting pilgrims complete visa/immigration and even smart baggage handling before boarding. Cross-border Access Idea: A proposed direct bus between Miri and Brunei International Airport could cut friction for regional visitors. Sports Tourism Watch: Sabah’s marathon spotlighted the upside of international events—but also the need for better street lighting and road safety to protect reputations.

Halal Certification Push: Singapore’s halal scene is expanding fast, but certification is paperwork-heavy—only 75% of applications were approved in 2025—so restaurants are chasing credibility and access to big tenders. Border Rules for Visitors: Singapore will deny Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) applications/renewals from Nov 2 for foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid fines, tightening entry compliance. Travel Deals for Brunei Flyers: Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer “Spontaneous Escapes” runs June 1–30, 2026 with a 30% miles discount, including routes to Brunei. Hajj Logistics Upgrade: Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative is in its 8th year, now covering Brunei and Senegal for Hajj 2026—pilgrims can complete immigration, biometrics, and visa steps before boarding, then go straight to buses. Muslim Travel Demand: New research projects Muslim arrivals to hit 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand for safer, more trusted, digitally enabled experiences. Brunei Tourism Angle: Brunei is repeatedly named in regional travel flows—especially around halal and Hajj—while nearby connectivity ideas (like direct bus links to Brunei) keep surfacing.

Flight deals & fuel pressure: Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer “Spontaneous Escapes” is back with a 30% miles discount for June 1–30, 2026 (booking by May 31), now including Scoot flights—useful for Brunei travellers planning quick hops. Energy risk still looms: Australia’s fuel crunch is worsening in mid-May as Middle East tensions threaten diesel supply, keeping aviation and travel costs sensitive. Hajj travel gets smoother: Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative (now in its 8th year) lets pilgrims from 10 countries—including Brunei for the first time—complete immigration, biometrics and visa steps at home airports, then board direct buses on arrival. Muslim travel demand rises: New Mastercard/CrescentRating research projects Muslim arrivals to hit 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand for safer, more inclusive, digitally easy trips—good news for Brunei’s halal-friendly positioning. Regional connectivity push: BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 adopted a $174.6bn plan with 265 priority projects, aiming to boost cross-border tourism and investment.

Vision 2035 boosts Minda: Mindanao is moving fast to brand itself as the Philippines’ main gateway to Southeast Asia, with more than 100 infrastructure projects now aligned under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 roadmap adopted at last week’s leaders’ summit—aimed at trade, tourism, investment, and cross-border connectivity. BIMP-EAGA momentum: The wider plan backs 265 priority projects worth an estimated $174.6bn, with local governments expected to play a bigger role in cross-border cooperation, including routes via flights and shipping. Tourism demand signals: New research flags Muslim travel growth to 245m arrivals by 2030, with Muslim women driving nearly half of global Muslim trips—pushing destinations to deliver trusted, inclusive, digitally enabled experiences. Travel cost relief (regionally): In the Philippines, fuel surcharges for flights are set to drop to Level 15 for May 16–31, easing pressure on airfares. Sports tourism watch: Sabah’s Borneo International Marathon drew international attention, but organisers are being urged to fix street-lighting and road safety ahead of future events.

Cruise Demand Boost: Oceania Cruises just unveiled holiday and New Year voyages for 2026-27 and 2027-28, with festive music, special menus, Champagne toasts, and Hanukkah menorah lightings across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas—plus port overnights in places like Barcelona, Bali and Singapore. ASEAN Event Confidence: Cebu says its “seamless” hosting of the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit proved it can stage major international gatherings, aiming to convert global spotlight into repeat visits and investment. Borneo Conservation with Incentives: A Borneo wildlife program is paying local citizen observers for wildlife sightings, targeting better conservation outcomes at far lower cost. Halal Travel Momentum: New forecasts project Muslim visitor arrivals reaching 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving nearly half of arrivals—pushing destinations toward safer, more digital, more inclusive experiences. Brunei-Relevant Mobility & Logistics: A new fast crew vessel design contract supports Brunei Shell offshore operations, while regional travel costs are easing as fuel surcharges drop to Level 15 (May 16-31). Sports Tourism Safety: Sabah’s Borneo International Marathon is back in focus after calls for better lighting, road upkeep, and traffic safety for future events.

ASEAN Summit momentum: Cebu says it proved “global readiness” after the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, pointing to seamless coordination, strong logistics, and zero major security incidents—now aiming to convert the spotlight into repeat visits and future conferences. Wildlife tourism meets conservation: In Borneo, a cash-for-sightings program is paying locals for wildlife records, using small rewards to boost reporting and cut conservation costs. Halal demand shifts: New forecasts project Muslim arrivals to hit 245m by 2030, with Muslim women driving demand—pushing destinations to deliver safer, more inclusive, digitally assured experiences. Brunei-linked travel access: Umre e-Visa guidance highlights Brunei eligibility for online applications via visa.visitsaudi.com. Air travel cost relief: Philippines fuel surcharges drop to Level 15 for May 16–31, which may slightly ease fares on routes including Brunei. Sports tourism pressure points: Sabah’s Borneo International Marathon drew international attention, but organisers are being urged to fix street-lighting and road safety ahead of future events.

Muslim Travel Boom: New Mastercard and CrescentRating forecasts put international Muslim visitor arrivals at 245 million by 2030 (from 186 million in 2025), with Muslim women driving nearly half of demand—pushing destinations to deliver trusted, inclusive, digitally enabled experiences, not just halal basics. ASEAN Halal Growth Pivot: With Middle East turmoil reshaping travel flows, experts say ASEAN is poised to lead the next halal growth wave, leveraging its mix of markets and intraregional trade. Brunei-Linked Mobility & Connectivity: A Timor-Leste delegation visited Brunei’s LNG operations, while regional plans keep focusing on easier cross-border travel—including proposals like a direct bus link between Miri and Brunei airports. Air Travel Costs Ease (Nearby): In the Philippines, the fuel surcharge drops to Level 15 (May 16–31), a small relief for regional flyers. Sports Tourism Safety Watch: Sabah’s Borneo International Marathon spotlighted infrastructure gaps—street lighting and road conditions—as organisers are urged to tighten safety for future events. Cruise Demand Signal: Oceania Cruises unveiled holiday and New Year voyages across Asia and beyond, reinforcing strong appetite for premium seasonal travel.

Aviation Cost Relief: The Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board cut passenger fuel surcharges to Level 15 for May 16–31 (down from Level 18), easing add-on fees for routes including Brunei—though rates stay near the top of the regulator’s scale. Offshore Logistics Boost: Valaris secured about $560m in new rig work, including a Brunei Shell Petroleum jackup extension starting April 2027—good news for energy-linked travel and crew movement. Brunei Energy Connectivity: Timor-Leste’s deputy PM visited Brunei’s LNG operations, underscoring ongoing regional interest in Brunei’s energy and investment ties. Regional Tourism Push: Incat Crowther was picked to design a 10-vessel fast crew fleet for offshore support tied to Brunei Shell, while Sabah is leaning on sports and cultural events (marathon, KAR Ultra, Labuan darts) to keep visitor momentum. Cross-border Travel Idea: A direct bus service is proposed between Miri and Brunei International Airport to make northern Sarawak–Brunei trips easier.

Aviation Costs Ease: The Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board cut airline fuel surcharges to Level 15 (from Level 18) for May 16–31, lowering the minimum add-on for international trips to nearby destinations including Brunei. ASEAN Travel Context: With the Middle East conflict still reshaping regional energy and prices, ASEAN leaders in Cebu pushed for stronger energy security and disaster resilience—an indirect signal for tourism planning across the region. Brunei in the Mix: Brunei’s Sultan sent get-well wishes to King Norodom Sihamoni, while Brunei also hosted a Timor-Leste delegation at its LNG facilities—showing continued regional ties beyond tourism. Trade & Tourism Boost: The ASEAN-Korea Centre launched “2026 ASEAN Panorama” in Seoul (May–Sept), with Brunei paired with Indonesia in May, spotlighting halal lifestyle and tourism-linked products. Connectivity Moves: A proposal for a direct bus between Miri and Brunei International Airport aims to make cross-border travel easier for visitors.

ASEAN Trade Spotlight in Seoul: The ASEAN-Korea Centre kicked off “2026 ASEAN Panorama” in central Seoul on May 7, a five-month rotating showcase running to Sept 30 that pairs ASEAN countries each month—Brunei and Indonesia this May—mixing food, halal lifestyle goods, fashion, books and creative industries with B2B buyer meetings and company visits. Middle East Ripple on Travel: Regional tourism planners say the Middle East conflict is pushing Southeast Asia to lean harder on Middle East travellers, but gaps remain in how well destinations can capture and sustain that demand. Brunei-linked mobility idea: A direct bus service proposal between Miri Airport and Brunei International Airport is back on the table, aiming to cut the 160km gap and make it easier for tourists to hop between northern Sarawak and Brunei. Regional energy resilience at ASEAN: ASEAN leaders in Cebu put energy security and disaster resilience at the top of the agenda as fuel-price shocks reshape travel costs and planning.

Sports Tourism & Infrastructure: Sabah’s Borneo International Marathon put the spotlight on the state—but Liberal Democratic Party leader Eric Lau says uneven roads, potholes and streetlights failing along the route raised safety worries, urging JKR and Kota Kinabalu City Hall to prioritise fixes in event hotspots. Next Big Sports Calendar: Sabah is already gearing up for more—KAR Ultra 2026 (July 24–26) in Kadamaian expects 2,000+ runners, with entries from Brunei and across Asia and beyond. Regional Connectivity for Visitors: Sarawak is pushing a direct bus link between Miri Airport and Brunei International Airport to make cross-border trips easier and boost tourist flows. ASEAN Energy & Resilience: At the ASEAN 2026 summit in Cebu, leaders focused on energy security and disaster resilience amid Middle East-driven fuel shocks, with ASEAN also moving to strengthen maritime cooperation. Brunei Link in the Mix: Brunei’s Sultan sent get-well wishes to Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, underscoring the region’s close ties as tourism and diplomacy run in parallel.