SHAH ALAM, May 4 — Fifty new Selangor Local Community Hosts will undergo training and advanced courses starting this month, and are expected to begin duties in the third quarter of the year to promote the Gombak and Hulu Langat districts.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling said applications for the second intake closed on March 31, with 80 applicants seeking to become community tour guides in both areas.
Only 50 participants were selected, 25 each for Gombak and Hulu Langat, who will undergo a screening and interview process before participating in structured training.
She she said that, unlike the first intake last year which focused on Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam, this round places emphasis on Gombak, particularly in relation to geopark areas that require a strong interest in nature.
“Initially, we were concerned that the response might be underwhelming, but following interviews, we found that many applicants possess basic environmental knowledge, and most are from the local community,” Chua told Media Selangor.
The first group of 49 community tour guides completed a three-month training programme last year and received certification. It covered four main modules: heritage mapping, tour guiding techniques, visitor services, and continuous career development.
Selangor Local Community Hosts play an important role in promoting local tourism by acting as storytellers who introduce visitors to the culture, history, and uniqueness of their respective areas.
In a related development, Tourism Selangor plans to organise two engagement sessions annually to gather feedback and better understand the challenges faced by tour guides.
She said these sessions will also serve as a platform for guides to share insights and suggestions to improve service quality.
Chua noted that there are also proposals to organise more community-based programmes to encourage local participation and stimulate the local economy.
