Historical Melaka facing same problem

MELAKA: Illegal tour guides are tarnishing the image of Melaka, says a seasoned tourism player.

Friends of Melaka Museums chairman Shaukani Abbas said unlicensed guides are not able to present the facts on the state articulately and most of the time provide incorrect information to tourists.

“It’s time for some sort of enforcement by stakeholders on illegal tour guides although the number is negligible,” he said yesterday.

Shaukani, who has been a registered tour guide since the early 1990s, said the illegal guides also fail to conform with the dress code set by the tourism industry.

“Most of them are not properly attired when leading tour groups, and this sends a wrong message about Melaka,” he added.

Shaukani said licensed guides are needed because of the tourism boom in the state.

He also raised concerns about the absence of guides in tour buses entering Melaka.

He said operators refused to place a guide in tour buses due to the cost of hiring one.

“There must be a mechanism to check whether there is a guide in tour buses, especially those carrying foreign tourists,” he added.