Rohani (centre) seen greeting the participants upon her arrival at the Samarahan Civic Centre. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KOTA SAMARAHAN: A pilot project known as the ‘Tour Buddy’ will be implemented in the state soon in order to boost tourism.
Tour Buddy is a localised private tour service that can be booked online and is a joint venture between the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp Sdn Bhd (MDEC) and the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita).
The service will complement travel agents and help to sell their products and services to tourists.
According to Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, the project has already been implemented in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I believe the programme is useful for Sarawakians and any Sarawakian can participate in this project. Taxi drivers and river taxi drivers should also try to participate in this project,” she said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of e-Rezeki and e-Usahawan programme at the Samarahan Civic Centre here yesterday.
She said some 2,000 people from around the country would be trained for the project.
“A person who acts as a tour buddy should have the knowledge and information on the local culture and places they promote. Therefore, those who want to become a tour buddy must first be trained,” she said. Also present during the ceremony was Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris.