Safety certificates for tourists in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism players in Sabah are urged to brief their guests, especially on “DOs and DON’Ts” when it comes to safety and security.

The call was made by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who noted that most drowning cases in the state involve foreign tourists, especially from China, who did not know how to swim.

“Sometimes, they get carried away or get too excited when they see the sea that they just jump into the waters and are swept away by strong current.

“In some cases, these things go unnoticed because the tourists move around on the own,” he said when addressing tourism players during an occupational safety and health seminar, here, today.

As such, Masidi urged tourist guides to convey safety tips to their guests, and ensure they are aware of any danger, before taking them to a location.

He also proposed for certificates to be given to every tourists to ensure that they had been briefed on security and health issues.

“It will be like a safety passport for them.”

Meanwhile, National Occupational Safety and Health chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib said accidents at the hotels and tourist spots saw an increase from only 16 in 2012 to 22 last year.

“The numbers may look small but it is not good for tourism. As such, we would organise more seminars for tourism players in the state.”