STGA felt sad and disappointed that this situation occur to visiting tourist here to sabah. however, we wish to express the following as our response to the claims made by the group representative.

1. The individual known as Alan is NOT a member of STGA since 2009, hence is NOT a Sabah Tourist Guide.

2. His action in this matter does not represent the values, ethics and jobs scope of a License Sabah Tourist Guide. In this issue, Alan was acting as an individual Tour Operator, most likely illegal.

3. The Group Leader that was in contact with the illegal tour operator (Alan) are also at fault as there was lack of proper due diligence on her part prior to hiring the illegal tour operator. She claim through our tele-conversation that she do not know the difference between a tour guide and a travel agent. We encourage the tourist (her friends/client) to ask for her group leader to be accountable so to make examples on part of her irresponsible action.

4. Her decision making to hire an individual whom she was with (Alan – acting as a tour guide) in the past have prevented business opportunity to legitimate tour operator in sabah and bring bad light to our industry and the tourist guide profession in sabah.

5. We urge her to stop using using the word “sabah tourist guide” in this matter as it bring bad image and perception to our professional profession. STGA is prepared to take legal action if she continue to do so.

6.Based on the dealings with Alan, it is an act of an ILLEGAL TOUR OPERATOR. Reason being ;
6.1 : Tour guide do not make hotel booking, create tour itinerary, book meals , transport..etc. that is a job of a tour agent/operator
6.2 : because he is not a tourist guide and not a member of sabah tourist guides association.

7. We urge that the relevant enforcement agency to take action on this individual called Alan as he run an illegal tour operation.

8. Sabah Tourist Guides Association encourage MOTOUR being the enforcement agency to be more proactive and to establish task force to combat ILLEGAL tour operator and ILLEGAL tour guide in sabah. This task force should include relevant industry partner.

9. Sabah Tourist Guides Association encourage MOTOUR to consider our past request to deputized our selected member to assist on enforcement and intelligence

10. STGA wish to advise future visiting tourist to sabah not to make dealing with an individual, check the status and background of the appointed agency / operator.

11. Sabah Tourist Guide Association expect her to admit her mistakes , apologize to Sabah Tourist Guides for the irresponsible statement and rectify her statement. Nevertheless, we do not condone what Alan had done as claimed by the group representative and expect the authority to take immediate action.

Your sincerely

Daniel Doughty
Chairman – Sabah Tourist Guides Association
+6019530711