Ratings for island’s guides

LANGKAWI: The Tourism Ministry will introduce a rating system for tour guides in Langkawi, ranging from “A” to “AAA”.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the rating was to create value to the services provided by tour guides.

“For example, when a tourist comes here for four days and wishes to see all the products in the island, he will not hesitate to pay extra money if the tour guide can show him everything he wants to see within the period.

“This is an ‘AAA’ service because the guide is able to entertain the tourist despite the time constraints,” Dr Ng told newsmen after chairing a dialogue with tourism players and government departments here yesterday.

Great service: Dr Ng and Langkawi MP Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib (in pink shirt) posing for a photograph with tourism operators at the Lada Langkawi Complex in Langkawi Saturday. — Bernama

She said the ministry also planned to conduct Niche Tour Guide Apprenticeship Programme in Langkawi to train students who wished to become tour guides.
The programme was aimed at producing a group of tour guides focused on tourism products in Langkawi.
“At the moment, we have two types of tour guides – operating in and outside the city.
“Now we will have a third category, which is Langkawi tour guides specially dedicated to promote tourist products in Langkawi,” she added.

In a related matter, Dr Ng said that the ministry had asked the Langkawi Spa Association to train single mothers to work as therapists at spas on the island.
Dr Ng added that besides providing job opportunities for single mothers, this would also reduce the dependency of spa outlets on foreign masseurs.

“The association will work with the Langkawi Single Mothers Association to identify women who can be trained as therapist.”

The Star