KUCHING, Oct 26: A tourism awareness programme to recruit e-hailing drivers as Sarawak tourism ambassadors was launched here today by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Grab Academy.
The “Sarawak Ambassador Programme on e-Learning for e-Hailing Drivers” has set a target of 1,000 Grab drivers to participate in the programme.
Under the programme, Grab Malaysia will reach out to its database of some 4,000-5,000 e-hailing drivers based in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri to register their participation in the e-learning training.
The module, which is available in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin, will include information about Sarawak, its culture and heritage as well as tourist destinations.
Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to come up with such a tourism awareness module for e-hailing drivers together with Grab Academy.
Ministry Of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee said the programme will help Grab drivers to know more about Sarawak as well as tourism attractions available in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
“When they receive passengers, I think this is where their role as ambassadors come. They will spread these content, messages and what they know to their customers, especially if they (passengers) are from outside Sarawak or they are from other towns, and are not familiar with the town they are visiting,” he said after launching the programme together with STB chief executive officer (CEO), Sharzede Datuk Salleh Askor.
Hii was representing Minister Ministry Of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Meanwhile, Hii said this programme is only open to around 4,000 to 5,000 Grab drivers in Sarawak and hopes at least 1,000 will particiate in the programme this year on a voluntary basis. The e-learning starts immediately after the launching.
“During this pandemic period, we don’t want to sit and wait, even though the (Sarawak) border may be closed. But I think this is the best time for the ministry and STB to build up the capacity of our industry players,” he added.
Hii said moving forward, they also look at creating more tourism awareness programme for locals including on how to set up homestays through e-learning platforms and there will be no need for them to attend classes physically. — DayakDaily
