NUS trains 74 students to lead tours as part of steps to manage tourist traffic

Nearly 400 tour slots for visitors to the NUS campus have been booked for Jan 13 to Feb 7, with the university training 74 of its own students to conduct such tours.

- Gabrielle Chan

From Jan 13 to Feb 21, visitors must pre-book guided tours of University Town led by these trained students, comprising ambassadors or docents, said NUS on Jan 14, in response to queries from The Straits Times.

On Jan 13, the first day of the student-led guided tours, student ambassadors and docents conducted tours for 271 tourists at UTown.

Groups with pre-booked tours are required to submit bus licence-plate details as outlined in a circular issued by associate provost for undergraduate education Daniel Goh on Jan 13.

The move comes as the university continues to work on managing high tourist traffic on campus during peak travel seasons from January to February, and August, Professor Goh said.

This is the latest step in addressing a growing influx of visitors since 2024.

Visitors "are expected to strictly adhere to the university's guidelines on campus tours", Prof Goh said, adding that they are expected to "uphold visitor etiquette" to ensure minimal disruption. They will also be issued "special identification for easy recognition", he said.