Brunei 's tour operators to benefit from new tour guide policy
ONLY tour guides authorised by the government of Brunei can be hired by tourists under a new policy implemented recently.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Hj Ali Hj Apong told The Brunei Times on Wednesday that the Licensing of Tour Guides under the Tourism Order 2016 will require tourists to hire tour guides that are authorised by the ministry should they request such services during their stay in the sultanate.
In an interview, the minister said that this would help prevent foreign companies with unlicenced tour guides from offering their services to tourists visiting the country.
Under the new policy, all tour guides must be trained by the Laksamana College of Business, which is the only authorised institution to conduct training on the tour guide profession.
He said the Bridging Tourist Guides course at Laksamana will ensure that the licensed tour guides are all well trained and highly qualified.
“Tourists will have to hire tour guides trained by us,” said the minister.
He added that this would also help spur job opportunities for Bruneians as it can create demand for local tour guides in the tourism sector.
Currently there are 91 licensed tour guides from 18 local travel agencies trained by Laksamana.
These tour guides will carry badges provided by the ministry as proof of their certification, said an officer from the ministry on Wednesday.
