Taking in the sights: A tour guide giving an explanation to a group of tourists at the Goddess of Mercy Temple in George Town, Penang.
GEORGE TOWN: Tourists must play their part in curbing illegal tourism activities, says 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.
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With these illegal players still active in Penang, tourists hold the power to help weed them out, said 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 yesterday.
He was responding to a statement by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on Monday, 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 after it pleaded guilty under Section 5(2) of the Tourism Industry Act 1992.
In 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.
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, 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.
