Guides need language skills
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The Department of Tourism, a new unit under the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, intends to upgrade the standards of Thai guides to prepare for the creation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by 2015.
Some Thai guides today lack quality and language skills, which could prevent them from competing effectively in Asean countries. To solve this long-standing problem before 2015, the department will set separate standards of guides for domestic and international tourists, said director-general Supol Sripna.
"Thai guides who provide services to foreign tourists have to have their language skills certified by well-known institutions for each language when applying or renewing their licences," he said.
About 40,000 Thai tour guides are registered nationwide. The general qualifications are that a guide must have a bachelor's degree and have successfully passed the training course organised by the Department of Tourism.
In early 2012, new guides who wish to work in international markets, have to have language certification, such as TOEIC or TOEFL, when applying for tour guide licences. Existing guides will be required to do so when renewing their licences.
"The department will set standard details and propose them to a working committee this year. I think the standards will be effective early next year," said Mr Supol.
Besides, the department will push forward other requirements. They should be Thai nationals aged at least 18 years old and should work at tourist destinations, which are suitable for local guides.
The department will set up a committee to identify such tourist destinations.