Trike drivers trained as tour guides

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — "Tourist-friendly driver."

Visitors to this lone city of La Union will be delighted to find this sticker on several tricycles whose drivers have been tapped by the city government to promote tourism.

Over the weekend, 45 of the more than 1,500 members of the City Tricycle Drivers and Operators Cooperative underwent a day-long seminar on tour-guiding techniques to help the city’s tourism programs.

Sponsored by the regional office of the Department of Tourism, headed by Martin Valera, and the city government led by Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, the seminar taught the drivers how to deal with tourists, including conversational English.

"They learned some English words which they can use in talking and dealing with tourists who could be their passengers. They should be friendly and courteous to show our culture of warm hospitality," said Glynis Balagot, city tourism officer.

Balagot said the drivers were also given a background and history of the city’s tourism spots, and warned not to overcharge and instead negotiate properly with their passengers.

"(Tourist) fares should be based on the guidelines which will be approved by the city government," she said.

The tricycle drivers are scheduled to take a tour of the city, including the Poro Point special economic and freeport zone.

The city hosts the only botanical garden in the North, the La Union Botanical Garden in Barangay Cadaclan, as well as the Science Centrum, Pindangan Ruins, Ma-Cho Temple, Carille Terraces, and Heroes Hill, among other tourist attractions.