| Wani Roslan |
THE Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, presented certificates to 91 tourist guides who have completed the Bridging Tourist Guide Course at a ceremony held yesterday at the Setia Pahlawan Hall of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT).
The course was conducted in five sessions from August 29 to October 13 as a collaboration between the Tourism Development Department and Laksamana College of Business.
The college offers two types of courses, namely the five-day Bridging Tourist Guide Course for current tourist guides and the one-month Basic Tourist Guide Training Course for members of the public who are interested to become tourist guides.
In an interview with one of the certificate recipients, Zulkifli bin Jaluddin, who has 10 years’ experience as a tourist guide shared that the course helped improve the participant’s standards as a tourist guide.
“Being a tourist guide is a challenging job as we are dealing with various nationalities and need a lot of patience. For those who had attended the course, they will now know how to handle the problems that arise,” he said.
He advised those who are interested to become a tourist guide to have a strong spirit and patience as well as be willing to learn.
ABOVE & BELOW: Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong (L) presenting the certificate to the recipients. – PHOTOS: BAHIYAH BAKIR
Among the main objectives of the Bridging Tourist Guide Course were to ensure the quality and competency of every tourist guide in accordance with prescribed standards, provide employment opportunity for locals, and as a prerequisite in applying for Tourist Guide Licence as outlined by the new legislation, Tourism Order 2016.
The MPRT through Tourism Development Department also announced that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to a new Tourism Order 2016 that took effect on October 26, 2016 to cover four main areas, namely, the Brunei Tourism Board, Licensing of Travel Agents, Registration of Tourist Accommodation Premises and Licensing of Tourist Guides.
It is hoped that with the new Tourism Order 2016, the MPRT can enhance the quality of tourism products and services as well as regulate tourism activities in the country to ensure a sustainable tourism industry.
Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary at the MPRT, Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the MPRT, Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali.
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