(Brunei, August 14, 2006) — Brunei’s Empire Hotel & Country Club is offering a ‘Brunei Open 2006’ package for golf fans coinciding with this year’s Asian Tour tournament from August 24-27.

Priced at B$800 for two, the three day / two night deal includes Superior Room accommodation and entry to Brunei’s premier professional golf challenge.

Also included are complimentary return airport transfers and daily breakfast, along with a golf souvenir.

The Brunei Open is being contested for the second year running at the luxurious resort's Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course. It is hosted by Brunei Tourism in conjunction with The Empire Hotel & Country Club, the Sultanate's leading hotel.

A total of 156 of the region’s finest players feature in this year’s US$300,000 event including defending champion Terry Pilkadaris of Australia, who won with a 19-under-par aggregate of 265 last year.

Among leading challengers are compatriot Scott Strange, who won the recent Philippine Open, last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, India’s Jyoti Randhawa, the Asian number one in 2002, and Malaysia’s Danny Chia, who was fifth in Brunei last year.

The breathtaking par-71 Empire course stretches from the coast of the South China Sea to lush green forests with a challenging layout in immaculate condition.

The package is also available for other room categories, from a Deluxe Room or Junior Suite to the ultimate in luxury "“ the Emperor Suite, with its own swimming pool. Golf fans may also opt for a two or three-bedroom exclusive Villa set in its own tropical garden beside the course.

For an additional green-fee and discounted nightly rate, golf fans can also extend the package and play the tournament course and tees.

Anne Busfield, General Manager of The Empire Hotel & Country Club, said, "This is a refreshingly tranquil venue for watching the action and, as a new tournament on the Asian Tour, is set to attract an increasing number of spectators as the word gets out amongst the region's golf enthusiasts."

Following last year's Brunei Open, The Empire Hotel & Country Club was voted by the competing players as their favourite venue on the Asian Tour.

Brunei Tourism Director Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed said: “”The inaugural tournament last year was a great boost for golf in Brunei. This year we hope to attract even bigger crowds to further boost the popularity of the sport in this country. We maintain our push to grow our very own Championship into a truly major sporting spectacle in Asia.”

For bookings, call Reservations on +673 241 7788 or e-mail sales@theempirehotel.com or contact your travel agent.

*All rates are subject to 10% service charge and change without prior notice. Other terms and conditions apply

For flight bookings, information and visas (for Hong Kong BNO passport holders), contact: Royal Brunei Airlines GSA, Scomber Services Ltd, Hong Kong. Tel: +852-3180-3231 Email: hkgres@rba.com.bn

The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei web site: www.theempirehotel.com