KUCHING: Retirees and university students as tourists guides?

That’s exactly what Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has in mind.

Thinking out of the box, he said it is common to see pensioners or university students working as tourist guides overseas.

“Personally, I see we should also open up to pensioners to become tourist guides.

“Because, in 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 was speaking to the media after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech yesterday (Nov 30).

To a question, he said Sarawak has enough tourist guides at the moment.

“At the moment, it is sufficient. But what is important now is that we need quality tourist guides.

“We need a tourist guide who can also tell 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 for visitors.