In a bid to boost international arrivals to 16 million tourists a year by 2015, Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has launched two new tourism initiatives.
The KL Tourism Ambassador programme will leverage the local knowledge and enthusiasm of a team of 40 youth volunteers.
Each team member will be stationed in main tourist districts in the city assisting tourists with general directions, information on attractions, events and dining, and suggestions for sightseeing and activities.
"The KL Tourism Ambassador Project (KLAP) is a collaboration between City Hall and 1Malaysia for Youth (iM4U), in which 40 youth volunteers become KL Tourism Ambassadors and have a deeper involvement in the tourism industry," said KL mayor Ahmad Phesal.
The project has been modelled on similar programmes in Melbourne, Vancouver, Berlin and Hong Kong, he said.
"To prepare for duty, the ambassadors underwent a six-day training programme to arm them with the right skills and attitude," said iM4U chief operating officer Azlan Rudy Malik.
In addition the city has launched an official KL Tourist Guidebook designed to be "a complete manual for tourists to provide comprehensive facts, descriptions and anecdotes of tourist spots," the mayor said.
