STGA said the lack of guidelines on eco tourism in Sabah left ignorant tour guides to prioritise monetary gains against what they think are small risks.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah tour guides have hit out at NGOs and the Sabah Wildlife Department for constantly picking on them, when there was no clear guidelines for sustainable practices in the eco-tourism industry here.
The Sabah Tourist Guides Association said currently there is no specific and clear guidelines for its members who are involved in eco-tourism in the state.
STGA president Grace Leong said putting in place proper practices with the necessary penalties would ensure both guide and tourists are safe.
“Sabah tourism is mainly driven by eco-tourism. There must be some clear sustainable practices. Currently there are no clear do’s and don’t’s for the industry.
“Once clear guidelines are established, any person found violating the regulations should be viewed as committing a serious offence to deter any future occurrence,” she said.
She said the current lack of such guidelines left some ignorant tour guides to prioritise monetary gains against what they think are small risks.
Leong was commenting on complaints by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) that some tourist guides were continuing to put tourists in danger with their action despite warnings.
“There has got to be clear guidelines to avoid any untoward incidents for both (tourists and animals),” said Leong.
Last month, SWD director Dr Laurentius Ambu expressed disappointment over reports that tourist boats were stopping by the Tomanggong Besar rive bank in Kinabatangan jungle, and allowing tourists to get off for a better glimpse of Borneo Pygmy elephants.
Several NGOs and conservation groups have also complained about tourist guides who ignored eco tourism rules.
“This issue has been brought up time and time again, in the media and at various meetings and discussions.
“There is no excuse for getting out of the boats and risking everyone’s life, including children.
“This kind of behaviour is dangerous for the people and stressful for the elephants,” Dr Ambu had reportedly said.
Last year Sabah received 2,875,761 domestic and international visitors. More than 43% of 941,765 international visitors to Sabah had their travel package arranged by tour operators while the others were free independent traveler (FIT).
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