Rokiah Mahmud
Some 50 participants comprising owners, managers and supervisors recently joined the Islamic Values on Customer Service Training organised by the Department of Tourism Development under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) in collaboration with SEAMEO Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training (SEAMEO) and Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB).
The training was aimed at hospitality and tourism industries, mukim and village consultative councils (MPK), Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), tourism accommodation premises, restaurants, food service providers as well as tourism hotspots.
The training is one of the initiatives taken up by the department to enhance the quality of customer service by applying Islamic values to promote Islamic tourism as one of the unique selling points to differentiate the Sultanate from other destinations in the region.
The Muhibbah, Etika, Senyum, Ramah and Adil (MESRA) (Goodwill, Etiquette; Smile and Friendly) campaign was launched in January to promote the adaption of Islamic values in customer service in line with the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy among frontliners.
The two-day training session saw Islamic values highlighted during the course which included respecting and attending the tourists during arrival or departure and focussing on cleanliness, safety and peace to attract tourists.
The training hoped to assist participants in exploring the basics of customer service according to Islamic principles and strengthen the participants’ skills and knowledge in service delivery.
The training also aimed at ensuring frontliners in the tourism industry acquire the know-how to handle tourists according to Islamic values and honing Bruneian friendliness and politeness in preparation for the re-opening of international borders.
