Tourists urged to be vigilant against illegal tour guides in Penang
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Penang Tourist Guides Association warned that unlicensed tour operators are continuing to operate under the radar and evading enforcement.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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GEORGE TOWN - Tourists must play their part in curbing illegal tourism activities, said Penang Tourist Guides Association chairman Clement Liang.
He warned that unlicensed guides and tour operators are continuing to operate under the radar, often finding ways to evade enforcement.
With these illegal players still active in Penang, tourists hold the power to help weed them out, said Mr Liang.
“A collective effort from tourists can go a long way in improving the quality of the tourism experience.
“They should conduct background checks on tour guides, operators and packages, before making any bookings, including reviewing credentials and reading online reviews,” he said on June 19.
He was responding to a statement by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on June 16, which revealed that a Penang-based company had been convicted of operating as an unlicensed tour operator.
The Sessions Court fined Renewage Group RM30,000 (S$9,080) after it pleaded guilty under the Tourism Industry Act 1992.
In case of default, the company faces a 12-month jail term.
The ministry has pledged to step up enforcement to ensure only licensed operators are allowed to run tourism businesses.
Mr Liang cautioned against falling for suspiciously cheap or overly ambitious tour packages, noting that such deals often come with hidden risks.
“Cheap or over-committed tour packages don’t always bring good memories. Don’t fall into the trap or compromise safety just to save money,” he said.
He also encouraged tourists to use online tools to verify whether a tour guide or company is properly licensed and to share their experiences after the trip.
“Honest reviews, public feedback and even warnings can help future travellers make better choices.
“This kind of community vigilance has proven effective in raising the industry’s standards,” he said.
All licensed tourist guides in Malaysia must be registered under a recognised association, which allows for greater accountability, Mr Liang added.
“If we receive complaints about a guide, we will investigate and take the necessary action.
“We work closely with tourism authorities to uphold high ethical and professional standards,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
