KUCHING: Sarawak may be looking at the feasibility of getting retirees and university students to become tourist guides in the state.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it is common to see pensioners or university students working as tourist guides overseas.
“Personally, I see we should also open up to those who have retired or pensioners to become tourist guides.
“Because overseas, there are even some university students who also work part time as tourist guides. That is why I think we should also look into it so that these groups can also earn some side income,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex today (Nov 30).
On whether there are enough tourist guides in the state at the moment, Abdul Karim said the number is sufficient thus far.
“At the moment, it (the numbers of tourist guides) is sufficient. But what is important now is that we need quality tourist guides.
“We need a tourist guide who can also convey stories about Sarawak besides bringing tourists around to places of attractions,” he said.
At the same time, he said, before increasing the number of tourist guides in the future, there must also be enough and unique tourism products that can be offered to the tourists.
