MALACCA, MALAYSIA: Trishawmen here have been urged to pull their weight in a month-long celebration to mark Malacca's inclusion in Unesco's World Heritage Sites list.

The trishaw pullers will play a key role in bringing tourists to historic sites during the celebrations which are set to run from Aug 1 until National Day.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the trishaw pullers must prepare themselves to face the expected mass influx of tourists into Malacca beginning next month.

He said this at a seminar organised by the Malacca Town Council for some 170 trishaw pullers. One hundred and seventy-three trishaw pullers will help start the celebration, called "Malacca Town, The World Heritage Town" by participating in a night parade on the first day.

During the seminar, service providers were urged to improve their interpersonal and communications skills, deliver the best service they can and be always be hospitable to tourists.

"The trishaw pullers will be given a guide book, in Malay and English, which they will be required to keep throughout the celebrations for their and the tourists' convenience," he said.

Mohd Ali said with more than 2.98 million tourists expected to arrive in Malacca in the coming months, tri-shaw rides would help boost tourism industry in the state.