A letter, published in a daily, lamented the plight of tour guides. The writer said that on many occasions, the role of tour guides were reduced to valet instead of being a guide to share the wonders of our country.
How this came about has to do with disruptive technology. For example, a smartphone can also tell time and take pictures, which only watches and cameras could do not so long ago.
With mobile apps developed for a destination, brochures and maps became obsolete. They are not only expensive to print but also reachable to only a few and most are left to gather dust.
On the other hand, destination apps can be accessed from anywhere in the world, to make bookings, navigate on arrival and the experience recorded and shared.
The vast majority of tourists no longer travel in groups and are free to do their own thing on their own schedule. Those interested to know more can use their fingertips to find information 24/7.
The list goes on as almost every sphere of our lives have been transformed. Those who cling on to yesteryears would suffer the consequences.
I have gone through the whole works, being a full-time tour guide before licensing was introduced in 1975. I started as a tour guide even before passing the course.
I still remember the compliments I received from a tour leader who was very impressed with my ability as she could not tell that it was my first tour group.
From 1993, I helped organised tourist guide courses in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Langkawi, and introduced more training elements. From 1990 to 2000, I was a lecturer and examiner for tourist guide courses.
From 2006, I was running a tourism school and churning out many tourist guides. At that time, I had advocated the tourist guide certificate and the IATA/UFTAA Foundation Diploma as the two best qualifications in the travel industry.
The majority of tour guides are registered with the Tourism and Culture Ministry , and not dependent on it to earn a living. Many complete just enough assignments needed to renew their annual licence. Strong lobbying by the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council made tour guides compulsory for tour bus passengers, even though many do not want to pay for such services.
That was why the writer complained that she was instructed to do nothing in a tour bus while a China group was transferred to a development site to be wooed by property agents.
“Sitting guides” have been a laughing stock for many decades as they were hired to do nothing but to just comply with regulations. Until this is repealed, tour operators had to comply as some have been fined RM18,000 for not having a tour guide on board.
Customers should be allowed to choose. If they wish to pay for the services of a tour guide, they should be given the best available and not just anyone who is licensed. And they should not be forced to pay for a tour guide they do not need.
If tour guides remain mandatory, tour operators would just pass the cost to customers but would lose out to budget groups, such as those planning a trip to Malaysia.
Just like backpackers, budget groups such as students should not be dismissed lightly as those with a great and memorable experience in our country may return as big time investors.
CY MING
Ampang, Selangor