MIRI: In a bid to promote greater understanding of Malaysia’s palm oil industry, Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd (SOP) recently hosted the Malaysian Palm Oil Certificate of Tourism-Related Education (CTRE) Programme in partnership with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).
The programme aimed to equip licensed tourist guides with accurate and balanced knowledge about the sector.
The event, held at SOP’s Miri premises, attracted over 40 tourist guides from across the region.
The session provided insights into the Malaysian palm oil sector, the health benefits of palm oil, and the industry’s sustainability initiatives.
It also addressed common misconceptions, ensuring that the guides were armed with reliable information to relay to visitors both locally and internationally.
“This initiative by MPOC is crucial in bridging the gap between the palm oil industry and the public.
“By empowering tourist guides with accurate knowledge, we are enabling them to become ambassadors of truth and sustainability in their interactions with visitors,” said Galau Melayong, SOP’s Head of Sustainability, who also delivered a brief ‘Sustainability Talk’ during the programme.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of MPOC’s educational module, designed to help the tourism industry communicate effectively on key topics such as environmental impact, industry standards and the role of palm oil in daily life.
The programme also included a guided tour of SOP’s operations, offering the guides an exclusive look at plantation management, led by SOP’s estate managers.
