NEWS OF THE DAY ~ Associations shoot down cabbies as tour guides move

Borneo Post Posted on May 7, 2012, Monday KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourist Guide Association (STGA) and Malaysia Association of Tours & Travel Agent, Sabah (Matta Sabah) members are concerned over the recent statement by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen urging taxi and hired car associations to offer attractive packages and to double up as tour guides atthe recent launching of Taxi Tourism Service. At the launch, 36 taxi drivers were awarded certificates to participate in the ministry’s pilot project, eventualy to be introduced at other places in Malaysia. In addition, the drivers are given RM100 monthly allowance each and expected to earn more through the taxi tourism packages. Matta Sabah chairman KL Tan said, “Tourism should benefit all community, this include taxi drivers but can taxi associations under their current legislations offer tour packages? “Taxi association was set up to carry passengers and tourist guide association was set up to represent guides while Matta was set up to organise tours. Are we setting the precedent to do away with the guideline and certification process?” Daniel Doughty, the chairman of Sabah Tourist Guides Association, reminded Ng that to be a qualified tour guide, there is a minimum academic requirement in addition to the mandatory three weeks to six months to obtain either green badge or blue badge. “Hence the need of only a day-course to be a tourist guide is disturbing to us.” all as everyone is concerned on the quality of service, operating standards and insurance issues amongst others. “If Datuk Ng Yen Yen really believes it is a good idea, some members suggest that taxi licenses to be given to existing tourist guides. They run business like a travel agent and will further improve taxi services in Malaysia. Then be prepared for the possible worst case scenario,” Doughty added. Both STGA and MATTA Sabah believe MOTOUR have just open up another window of opportunity for the illegal tour operators and illegal tourist guides. “If every taxi driver can be a guide and act like a travel agent, why should travel agents have proper premises, paid up capital, comply with Tourism Industry Act 1992, incur overhead costs, and obtain tour buses an vans or hire and drive cars with high premiums? Better to dispose of the vans and cars and purchase taxis to carry out inbound business. Allowing taxi drivers to act as travel agent or tour consultant could lead to many unwanted negative impacts in our destination marketing and national image overall,” said Tan. “We hope for better clarification and to be debriefed regards to this sudden announced project. At this stage we believe that the decision to proceed with this project is irresponsible and unfair to the stakeholders of tourism industry in Malaysia, particularly to tourist guides as it may affect our profession. “If it is possible, we wish to see the project conceptual document, as it may detail the SWOT analysis prior to implementing. We hope to understand how can such action will further assist and improve the livelihood of tourist guides, particularly in Sabah,” added Doughty.