KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry stressed that it has no intention of allowing taxi drivers to become tour guides, at least not without going through the right procedures and training.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen was previously reported as saying – when launching the taxi tourism service programme in Raub, Pahang, on April 29 – that cabbies could double up as tourist guides. Under the programme, tourists can choose a day trip package to various tourist spots by taxi for a single charge.
Upon clarifying the matter yesterday, Dr Ng stated that what she actually meant was for the taxi drivers to be “well-informed”. “As part of the ‘Think tourism, Act Tourism’ campaign, taxi drivers should be the frontliners in the tourism industry. “They should ensure that they are equipped with basic information to share with tourists as well as understand their role in promoting tourism,” she said, adding that it would be sad if a taxi driver responds with “I don’t know” to every question a tourist asks.
“According to the Tourism Industry Act 1992, licensed tourist guides should undergo proper training, and taxi drivers are no exception,” Dr Ng said at the launching ceremony of more than 2,000 taxis and 10 buses as “ambassadors” for the Malaysia International Tourism Exchange 2012 (MITE 2012) at the Malaysian Tourism Centre (Matic).
MITE is organised by My Events International and supported by the ministry together with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCeb). With 25 participating countries, more than 600,000 visitors are expected to visit the carnival-like convention at Malaysia Agro-Exposition Park Serdang from May 31 to June 3. For details, visit www.mite.com.my.
-thestar online.
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