/STGA Code of Ethics

STGA Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics Practice
Assurance of High-level Professionalism

 

Adherence to the STGA Code of Ethics Practice provides an assurance of the high level of professionalism and a value-added service offered by the individual guides to their clients. Licensed Tourist Guide(s) who are members of the Sabah Tourist Guides Association accept the principles and aims as follows:

Image and Attire:
  • A licensed tourist guide shall always be well-groomed, courteous, honest, trustworthy and dedicated.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall always safeguard his or her reputation and professional image as a licensed tourist guide.
Discipline:
  • A licensed tourist guide shall provide a professional service to visitors, professional in care and commitment, and professional in providing an objective understanding of the place visited, free from prejudice or propaganda.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall not be involved in any conduct or act which is prejudicial to the professional image of the tourism industry in Malaysia or to the image and good name of the country.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall not use abusive language or be involved in any fights or squabbles with the tourists or any person under his or her care or with any other person at any time in the exercise of their duty.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall not bad-mouth or criticise their colleagues, any establishment or organisation, the Government or its policies and campaigns or any other person in the exercise of their duty.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall act fairly and reasonable in all dealings with all those who engage the services of guides and with colleagues working in all aspects of tourism.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall protect the reputation of tourism in our country by making every endeavour to ensure that guided groups treat with respect the environment, wildlife, sights and monuments, and also local customs and sensitivities.
Communication:
  • A licensed tourist guide shall as representatives of the host country to welcome visitors and act in such a way as to bring credit to the country visited and promote it as a tourist destination.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall always update his or her information and materials on the history and culture of the country, and on government policies for the better and effective exercise of their duty.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall ensure that as far as possible what is presented as fact is true, and that a clear distinction is made between the truth and stories, legends, traditions, or opinions.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall have good public relations value, and shall maintain friendly relations and cooperation with other tourist guides, whether local or foreign.
Safety:
  • A licensed tourist guide shall always try to understand the character and needs of the tourists or any person under his or her care.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall exercise his or her duty with due care to ensure that the tourists or any person under their care are not placed under any untoward danger or unnecessary risks due to their actions or omissions.
  • A licensed tourist guide shall not leave the tourists or any person under his or her care at any time in the exercise of their duty.

STGA is also a Full Member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), which has also signed up to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics.