How To Be A Tour Guide In Malaysia

Looking at how to be a tour guide in Malaysia? 

Whether you want to make friends from around the world and share your knowledge, make extra money by freelancing, or simply love to travel, you’ve come to the right place!

I had no idea that a tour guide was a thing until I started actively writing for online travel blogs. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of becoming a freelance tour guide in Malaysia.

Of course, it’s not common to hear about someone signing up as a tour guide, and it’s not a norm in the Malaysian community. 

Like myself, a mechanical engineer turned into a writer and now a tour guide. It’s random, but I guess everything is possible in Malaysia.

I still remember my dad’s face when I told him I signed up to be a tour guide. He gave me a very suspicious look. O.O

Eventually, he was okay with it, and off I went to become a part-time student! 

In this article, I’ll share the steps that you’ll take when you pursue a career as a tourist guide in Malaysia. 

So, if you’re here out of curiosity or looking to meet people who share the same tremendous love for travel, let’s dive into this guide together. 

Disclaimer: This is not sponsored content. All of the information provided is based on my personal experience and study journey. Information relevant to the requirements for becoming a tour guide may change from time to time on official websites, and I will try my best to update this accordingly.

#1 Find A Tourism Institution

The first step into becoming a tour guide Malaysia is finding the right institution for you to take the tourism guide courses. 

When you type into Google, there are a number of institutions that offer these courses located across Malaysia. It is important for you to look for institutions that are registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). 

You can find the list of registered institutions here. 

It took me a while to find institutions that fit my preferences and schedule. Having a full-time job requires me to look for classes that are either available on the weekend or online on weekdays. 

It’s also essential to research the language you’d like to sign up for, whether Bahasa Malaysia, English, or Mandarin. 

Eventually, my choices came down to two institutions based in Kuala Lumpur. Here are some of the questions that I asked myself before deciding which college:

• Location of the College
• Demographics of the Students
• Schedule and Class Timetable
• Success Rates 
• Trainer’s Background
• Modules & Training List

I eventually chose KAGC College because it offered online classes that fit my schedule, and the location is easily accessible. It is less of a hassle to go when there are practical classes on-site. 

TIPS: Don’t rush into choosing an institution. Ask for brochures and seek information from institutions you’re interested in. 

#2 Entry Requirements To Sign Up

Before signing up for the tour guide course, here is the list of requirements that you’ll need to have before signing up for the course:

• SPM (6 subject passes including BM)
• SPM from 2013 must include BM & History
• Diploma or Degree (Recognized by MOE), or Minimum 5 years working experience in the tourism industry
• Minimum age requirement: 18 years old

Kindly check with the person you’re in contact with to make sure you are eligible to sign up for this course before making a payment. 

#3 Attend A 6 Months Course

Once you’ve decided to proceed with your chosen institution, you’ll usually have a briefing and onboarding session. 

Here, you’ll get to know your classmates and trainers. Classes can be online or offline, depending on the institution. Once you’ve signed up for the courses, you’ll need to double-check with your trainer or admin on your timetable.

I had a mix of online and offline classes. In a way, I liked this arrangement because it allowed all of us to meet in person rather than seeing everyone’s faces on a flat screen. 

It’s actually very fun and enjoyable to meet my classmates in person. From normal classes to outings, to practical sessions and makan makan sessions!

During this course, you will take a mix of theory and research classes. You’ll also need to submit a portfolio development prior to your exams – think of it like homework. 

Here is the list of modules covering all the topics you will learn during this course. Plus, there will also be practical courses, which is where the fun is!

Certain practical courses, like Mesra Malaysia, are compulsory and must be attended. It is one of the conditions for getting your license, so be sure not to miss this course! 

TIPS: Attend all practical classes and excursions. Talk, talk, and talk. This will help you build your confidence in public speaking and discover your unique way of storytelling. 

#4 Attend Exams (Both Theory and Practical)

Now that you’ve attended the Basic Tourist Guide Course to obtain a city tourist guide license, the next step is to sit for the exams. 

This will determine whether you’ll get the tour guide license at the end of the day. 

You’ll have one theory exam, where you’ll sit for the objective section. There are 60 questions within an hour.

Once that is done, you’ll need to sit for the practical session, where you will be tested on your knowledge of places of interest in Malaysia. 

Usually these two exams are on a separate day, so you don’t have to worry about having it all in one go. 

#5 Obtain Your License Guide

You’re almost there. Eeek, I’m so excited! 

Now, all you have to do is wait for your results. They can take up to two months to come out.

In the meantime, you can brush up on your skills and gain more knowledge about Malaysia. These are some of the book recommendations that I’ve been reading and/or finished: 

• The Culture Map (My All Time Favourite Book!)
• A History of Malaysia
• A Brief History of Malaysia and Singapore
• Once Upon A Time in Malaya
• Malacca – The Influences of Early History on Multicultural Melaka 
• Malacca – Where Eighty-Four Languages Were Once Spoken 

Alternatively, you can go for a free walking tour or guided tour. Yes, I know, some of these tours require extra money. 

But I can vouch that I’ve been to most of these, and not only will you learn about the places, but you’ll also be able to observe and learn from the pointed tour guide. It’s a win-win for you 🙂

• Explore Historical Malacca (With Local Lunch Included!)
• Make Your Taste Buds Dance with Kuala Lumpur Food Tour 
• Hunting Local Hawker Food Around Kuala Lumpur on A Vespa 

Of course, these are just some of the options that I have on my list. 

Upon passing your examination held by MOTAC, you will then receive a certificate competency skill level 3 (also known as SKM3) and a temporary license to practice as an amazing Tourist Guide for 2 years. 

FAQ on How To Be A Tour Guide in Malaysia

What is the Tour Guide Course Fee in Malaysia?

The tour guide course fee ranges from RM5500 to RM8000, depending on the institution. Yes, it may be a big sum of money for some, but don’t worry. 

When there is a will, there is always a way! 🙂 

If you are really keen on pursuing the dream of traveling and becoming a tourist guide, here are a few ways you can pay for the tourist guide course fee.

• Financial Aid by Perbadanan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran (PTPK) 
• KWSP Account 2 Withdrawal
• Cash/Credit Card Payment 

I opted for the Credit Card Installment plan, using a Maybank credit card with 0% interest fees. This allowed me to choose between a 6-month or 12-month instalment plan. 

If you’d like to use the credit card option, kindly check with your preferred institution on the bank options they have and how much the interest fees are.

If it’s 0%, then go for it 🙂

TIPS: Paying with a credit card gives you points. Points = air miles = free flights! 🙂 This is one of the ways how I travel around the world for free!

Who Should Sign Up as A Tour Guide?

It can be you, your siblings, your friend, or your retired parents—anyone. 

I’m a mechanical engineer turned writer and now a tour guide! As I said previously, anything is possible in Malaysia 😉

Now, tell me, do you fit any of the categories below?

• People with a huge interest in traveling, exploring, and making new friends. 
• People who love to interact with others from different cultures and backgrounds.
• People who are looking for a retirement plan, with traveling a part of their plan.
• People who would love to change careers and work in the tourism industry as full-time or freelance tour guides. 
• People who’d love to have a source of income with time flexibility. 
• People who love to share stories and knowledge with others.
• People who simply love to travel and expand their horizons.

If you answer yes to any of these, then the tourism industry will welcome you with open arms! 🙂

How Do You Become A Tour Guide In Malaysia? 

To become a tour guide in Malaysia, you must take the Tourist Guide Course and obtain your license. 

You’ll be on a two-year probation period. Then, in order to obtain a permanent Tourist Guide License, you’ll need to acquire 3 Continuous Tourism Related Education (CTRE).

What Are The Career Opportunities As A Tour Guide?

There are plenty of career opportunities as a tour guide in Malaysia. 

You will not only be limited to becoming a Tour Guide, but you will have access to all of these pathways below: 

• Tour Guide (Inbound – In your country)
• Tour Leader (Outbound – International destinations)
• Tour Agency 
• Tour Manager / Consultant
• Trainer
• Entrepreneur 

See? There are a lot of options to pick from. Be creative and grow in the way you want to. You’re not limited to anything. The only limit is yourself 😉

I started as a writer, and becoming a tour guide complements my work, especially when it comes to travel writing. 

Final Thoughts

I hope the steps above on how to become a tour guide in Malaysia gave you a clear idea of what you’ll need to do when you sign up for the Tour Guide Course. 

As a city guide, you can offer a city tour, a historical walk tour, or even a food tour in Malaysia. You’re the storyteller to your audience 🙂

I’d love to clarify again that all of the above are the steps that I’ve taken to obtain the Tourist Guide License for a City Guide Level 3. 

It’s different than a nature guide. So, if you’re interested in having a guide on how to become a nature guide in Malaysia, do let me know in the comment section at the end of this article. 

Let me know what you think about this article below, or you can drop a message below if you have any questions. I can’t wait to see you on board the ship! 🙂

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