By Lau Sook May
SHAH ALAM, Dec 12 — After achieving strong results in its community tour guide programme in Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor, Tourism Selangor will expand the programme next year, recruiting a new batch of 50 community guides to help “tell good stories” about their localities and offer visitors a richer and more engaging travel experience.
Tourism Selangor CEO Chua Yee Ling said in an exclusive interview with Media Selangor that the second round of community guide training has been designated for Selayang and Hulu Selangor.
“In line with Selangor’s aim to nominate the Gombak–Hulu Langat Geopark for Unesco World Heritage status, we hope the guides trained in Selayang can incorporate more geopark-related elements so that their storytelling becomes more multidimensional and in-depth,” she said.
She noted that the first batch of 49 community guides from Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor performed well, received positive feedback, and sparked interest among more residents who wish to join the programme.
“The community networks in Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam are very strong. Whenever tour buses or travel groups arrive, local guides recommend and collaborate with one another, creating a healthy guiding ecosystem,” she added.
The first batch of 49 community guides from Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam completed a three-month training course and officially graduated on November 4, receiving their certificates from state executive councillor for local government, tourism and new villages, Datuk Ng Suee Lim.
The community guide training programme is organised by Tourism Selangor and certified by the Department of Skills Development (JPK) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
The curriculum covers four modules: heritage asset mapping, interpretive guiding skills, visitor service management, and continuing professional development.
The programme aims to comprehensively enhance guides’ professional capabilities, cultural interpretation skills, and presentation of local tourism value.
