KUCHING: The syllabus for the Regional Sarawak Tourism Guide is expected to be implemented by the end of this year.

This specialised tourist guide licence course is designed to replace the existing course which is in Peninsular Malaysia context.

“My ministry will be empowered to monitor and review the module befitting our needs unlike the existing course which is controlled by our Federal counterpart,” said Sarawak tourism minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The trainings and courses include Heritage Awareness Programme and Bird Guiding Workshop which is conducted from Nov 4 to 6. Around 15 nature tourist guides participated in the courses.

A joint collaboration with Sarawak Heritage Society, Johari said the objective of the course is to inculcate awareness on the importance of preserving our heritage, culture and history.

“My ministry has also conducted trainings for other sectors in the tourism chain such as the food outlet operators. We completed the Service Excellence Training (SET) for selected food outlet operators in Miri and Sibu,” told Johari.

“Once implemented, the local councils will integrate service delivery in the Grading System of Food outlets in their respective cities,”

“My ministry has also included Homestay operators and local communities to participate in Safety and Life Saving Training,” he added.

Besides those involved directly in the tourism sector, the local event organisers also benefited from such training.