EVALUATIVE COMMENTARY OUTLINE TEMPLATE

Name: 1) Muhammad Razif Addeen Bin Nang Yusmadie (2020849332)

2) Muhammad Zulfarhan Bin Noor Azli (2020863842)

Group: RAP1203E

Introduction
Overview of the article Due to pandemic Covid-19 nowadays, travel in small group bring
more benefits than travel in a busload of tourists.
The point of the article Benefits such as enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity,
affordable with budget travel and avoid contagion of Covid-19.
Body 1

Main point 1 Allowed for greater flexibility and a tailor-made experience rely
on a registered reputable travel agent.

Supporting Detail 1 Visitors with small group size have much more personal level of
service care and attention from their experience tour guide.

Evidence 1 With an average amount of group is so much easier and quicker to

get on and off transport which also give us much room with dozen
spare seats that we can freely choose which seat we want.
Body 2
Main point 2 Affordable according to the customer’s budget.
Supporting Detail 2 The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives and give a huge
impact on many low-income groups especially for urban families
who are experiencing greater challenges.
Evidence 2 Travel agents need to understand some aspects that customers
nowadays care about especially in financial terms because not all
people afford to go holiday or trip in large number. Therefore,
travel agents should consider giving some discounts to the
customer so that it may not burden them.

1|Page
Body 3
Main point 3 Decrease and avoid the contagion of pandemic Covid-19.
Supporting Detail 3 It is important to always priorities our safety and health in good
conditions first especially while travel in group nowadays.
Evidence 3 Ministry of Health with the help of several other ministries find an
opportunity to create a travel with SOPs that consider aspects of
health, immigration, data tracking, and continuous monitoring by
relevant agencies.
Body 4
Opinion Greatly agree with the author that smaller groups can bring more
benefits for visitors.
Justification Benefits:
1. Can get more personalized guiding and improve the travel
experience for the visitors.
2. Bring a balance time for group and personal space.
Disadvantages:
1. Some visitors that not used to travel in small group will
facing bored and awkward.
Conclusion
Restatement of Agree that smaller groups can bring more benefits for visitors
personal view nowadays.
Final comments Although Covid-19 pandemic has affected tourism institutions, we
can still travel safety if we travel in smaller group.

2|Page
 Benefits of small group travel
By ARNOLD LOH and RENA LIM - Monday, 01 Nov 2021

GEORGE TOWN: Deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism is slowly inching back
to life but with smaller groups of visitors enjoying a higher quality of holiday experience. While
in the past, a busload of 40 tourists might have been the norm, travellers in the new norm now
prefer quality over quantity in smaller private groups of 20 friends or family members, or even
less. With smaller groups on private tours, they could expect to be taken to places not “covered
in the guidebooks”, said Penang Tourist Guides Association (PTGA) vice-president Clement
Liang. “We have time to show our tourists the nooks and corners, our little old shops in the
back lanes that outsiders don’t know about,” he said, adding that this would afford them an
experience previously not enjoyed.

Although such tours would be a little costlier, small group, said Liang, allowed for greater
flexibility and a tailor-made experience. “It is a customised tour package and long ago, this was
how it was done. Because of the pandemic, this old way is returning,” he said, advising
travellers to rely on reputable travel agents registered with the Tourism, Arts and Culture
Ministry. Also expressing his happiness with the growing trend of private tours is Malaysian Commented [MRABNY1]: Main Point 1

Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.

“That was the essence of travel. You go to another place for no other reason than to immerse
yourself in a different culture. You taste their food and see how they make and sell things.

“Then, when you go home, you mix all those new insights with your daily life and create
something new,” said Tan.

Somehow, at the height of mass tourism before Covid-19 struck, all that was lost, he said.

“People went in big groups, rushed through places, took a few photos to prove they were there
and left. It was touch and go, and the real purpose of tourism was lost. Commented [MRABNY2]: Evidence 1

“But because of the pandemic, big groups won’t be happening. So, although the tourism
industry has suffered greatly, it looks like the essence of travel is now coming back,” he said.

Tan said the MATTA Fair on Nov 20 to 21 would be aimed at kick-starting the tourism industry
with the added value of an immersive experience for travellers. “As we reset, I call on all tour

3|Page
operators to be aware that travellers are price-sensitive now. Let’s make sure we meet the Commented [MRABNY3]: Evidence 2

customers’ budgets,” he added. Commented [MRABNY4]: Main point 2

Among the local guides getting back into action in Penang is Joann Khaw, a full-time licensed
guide since 1993.

Khaw recently brought a French family living in Kuala Lumpur on a walking tour of George
Town’s heritage enclave and before that, a large family from Kuala Lumpur who wanted to go
on a “foodie” trip.

Khaw described leading a small group as “joyous” because it gave her the chance to thoroughly
explain the little details, such as the ones on Penang’s heritage buildings.

“I could help them appreciate the progression of the architecture of our pre-war houses over
the centuries,” she added.

PTGA president P.C. Chin said Penang’s licensed guides would soon be given special training
on maintaining strict Covid-19 precautions during guided tours. “Tour guides must lead in Commented [MRABNY5]: Evidence 3

helping travellers stay safe from the virus. Sometimes, in the excitement of visiting new places, Commented [MRABNY6]: Main point 3

they might forget themselves. “So it is the job of the guides to make sure that basic rules like
physical distancing and constant sanitising are always practised,” said Chin. Commented [MRABNY7]: Supporting detail 3

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/01/benefits-of-small-group-travel

4|Page
 Benefits of Small Group Travel at The Present Time

Issues: How small group travel bring more benefits than travel in busload of tourism?

Contentious: Tourists and travelers

Tones: Serious, Formal

Audience: Tourists and travelers that find the benefits of small travel.

Question:

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, tourism is slowly progress back to life. Do you agree travel
in small group bring more benefits than travel in a busload of tourists?

Answer:

Yes, we agree with the notion given above as travel is small group bring more benefits
than travel in a busload of tourists nowadays. In my opinion, travel in small group can bring
more benefits such as enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity, affordable with budget
travel and avoid contagion of Covid-19.

1. Enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity

• travelers with small group size have much more personal level of service care
and attention from their experience tour guide.
• for example, with an average amount of group is so much easier and quicker to
get on and off transport.
• always have so much room with dozen spare seats that we can freely choose
which seat we want.
2. Affordable with budget travel
• pandemic impact many low-income urban families.
• not all people afford to go holiday or trip in large number.
3. Avoid contagion of Covid-19
• it is number one priority to always keep our safety and health in good conditions
while travel.
• tour guide can handle it more efficiently.

5|Page
6|Page