| Aziz Idris |
HEAD of Business and Hospitality Department at Laksamana College of Business (LCB) Simon Keenan yesterday urged tour guides to continuously improve.
“Much like the way the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) and LCB’s collaboration on this training is offering continuous improvement, so must you continuously improve, whether you are an experienced guide who has taken this course to legitimise your practise, or if you are fresh to the industry,” he said.
“I urge you all to keep your eyes and ears, to continue to learn and to continue to raise the standard of excellence in the industry,” he said.
He made these comments at a ceremony to present certificates of completion to the latest batch of 17 tour guides.
The 17 tour guides received their certificates of completion from Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali during a ceremony at the MPRT yesterday.
The Tourist Guide Basic Licensing Course is a collaboration between MPRT and LCB to enhance the quality of tour guides in Brunei Darussalam, in line with the growing tourism sector and influx of tourist arrivals.
Keenan said there have been significant improvements made to the course over time; the most recent being able to secure a long-term service of an international trainer.
Registration for the Tourist Guide Basic Course at LCB is open for the June and September intakes.
During the course, participants were exposed to basic practical and theory technical skills on the procedures of being a tour guide, and introduced to the major tourist destinations and places of interest, as well as the tourism industry in the country. The course gave them the opportunity to work in a team, improve time management skills and stay up-to-date with their knowledge on Brunei, such as its historical facts. It also opens employment opportunities for locals, especially youth.
Tour guides who passed the course are required to submit their application to the Tourism Development Department at the MPRT to obtain the Tourist Guide Licence.
Under Section 21 of the Tourism Order 2016, it is now a requirement for tourist guides in the Sultanate to be licensed.
Any person found guilty of operating without accredited licence will be fined not exceeding BND5,000 for the first offence, and in the case of a second or subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding BND10,000.
As there is a high demand for tour guides, the Tourism Development Department welcomes youth looking for work to participate in the upcoming course.
Over 180 tour guides have completed the Tourist Guide Basic Licensing Course since it was introduced in 2016.