Bhutanese tour guides have been in the limelight recently. In a meeting on the 24th of February 2010 with the various stakeholders in the Bhutanese tourism industry, the Prime Minister pointed out unprofessionalism and the lack of ethics among the Bhutanese tour guides. In the wake of all these unwanted attention, the Guides Association of Bhutan (GAB) has circulated amongst its members, a draft 25-point Code of Conduct for tour guides. The GAB welcomes suggestions.

Code of Conduct for Tour Guides (DRAFT)

Objective

As Tourist Guides play pivotal role in Bhutan’s tourism industry, this Code of Conduct has been drawn to fulfill the following objectives.

To ensure that tourist guides possess correct principles concerning their service, and professional qualities and ethics in order to provide the highest standard of service for visitors in fair and honest manner.
To encourage the continuing education and self-development of tourist guides.
To cultivate an earnest, responsible working attitude of tourist guides.
To uphold the image and the reputation of the guides and their profession.
To uphold the reputation of Bhutan’s tourism industry and to ensure sustained prosperity of the industry as per the Royal Government’s tourism policy

Code of Conduct for Tour Guides in Bhutan

A professional guide shall abide by the rules and regulations of the country and act in a befitting manner at all sites and facilities where he or she takes visitors and help visitors to understand and abide by, the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
A professional guide shall strive to provide the highest standard of service in a honest and fair manner.
A professional guide shall not involve in promoting or selling illicit items to visitors or recommend them to buy such items.
A professional guide shall always respect the cultural, historical and environmental heritage of the country and shall adhere accordingly at all times.
A professional guide should know and follow the rules of the company for whom the guide is working.
A professional guide shall not accept or solicit a job from the client of the company that has hired/employed him/her without the consent of the company, nor should a guide attempt to divert the clients to another person or company business from the company that has hired him/her.
A professional guide shall not solicit/accept rebates or commission from any retail shop/establishment as an inducement to or reward for recommending tourists to patronize.
All business related communication with the clients should be made under the auspices of the company. It is the guide’s responsibility to inquire from the tour company regarding continued service with a repeat client before taking on the assignment. Loyalty for and to the tour company should be practiced during the entire tour.
A professional guide shall accept each tour as a serious commitment and cancel only when absolutely necessary and provide as much advance notice as possible.
A professional guide shall carry out the program/itinerary of a tour to his/her best abilities and be loyal to the company/organization that he/she is representing.
A professional guide shall be punctual, reliable, honest, conscientious and tactful at all times.
A professional guide shall cooperate with tour group and other associates and shall maintain ethical and professional conduct at all times, cultivating a positive relationship with all colleagues.
A professional guide shall respect the research, intellectual property and copyrighted materials of other guides by not recording without permission or quoting it without attribution.
A professional guide should be well prepared to communicate his/her knowledge of the country to the guests in an engaging manner.
A professional guide shall ensure that the itinerary is received prior to the tour and accordingly make preparation well in advance. A professional guide must assume the responsibility for punctuality at all times.
A professional guide shall be sensitive to the interest and values of the tour group and does not share his/her personal views on controversial subjects such as sex, religion, and politics.
A professional guide shall maintain good personal hygiene, dress code and “Driglam Namsha” while on duty.
A professional shall at no given time be under the influence of alcohol or a narcotics substance, and shall refrain from chewing Doma while on duty.
A professional guide shall in no way discriminate in rendering services to any tourist on any basis, e.g. color, gender, ethnicity, nationality, physical challenge, age, etc.
A professional guide shall treat all people, cultures and the environment with respect.
To maintain a professional image, a guide shall not collect gratuities by any coercive means, nor shall they exhibit dissatisfaction, provide sub-standard service or refuse to provide service because few or no gratuities are given.
A professional guide shall ensure that visitors understand their consumer rights, including the right to obtain information on products and services and the freedom to choose products and services.
A professional guide shall not coerce or mislead visitors into purchasing any goods and shall not allow their service attitude to be affected nor shall they refuse to perform their duties because of visitors’ unwillingness to purchase or the value of their purchases.
A professional guide shall always attach top priority to the safety of visitors and remind them to be aware of their personal safety. In case of any accidents, he shall help arrange immediate treatment for the visitors and seek assistance from their tour company without delay. They shall report the case to the concern authority if necessary.
A professional guide should not encourage, promote or involve in any type of sex tourism.