Phu Quoc collects a tip, which is actually a service fee for the tour guide

Tip or service charge?

In the announcement of the Association of Professional Tour Guides (HDV) of Ho Chi Minh City. Phu Quoc, should understand and call the service fee (service charge) rather than collecting tips, because a tip is a bonus depending on whether the guest wants to give it or not.

For a long time, Vietnamese companies that send guests abroad have announced that guests have to pay tips for the tour guide, which is actually the service fee of the tour guide, making some people used to this meaning, and understand. Ho Chi Minh City Professional Tour Guide Association. Phu Quoc is trying to switch from receiving tips to collecting service fees.

The issue is controversial. However, whether the above text is true or false, whether it has any impact on the image of Phu Quoc tourism, is related to the impact factor of market laws.

On the side of tourism businesses, except for a few companies that welcome inbound guests (international visitors to Vietnam) clearly stated in the contract and information for international guests that will collect this money, but most of them avoid it, don’t mention it specifically because they want to keep competitive tour prices for domestic and inbound tourists. However, when companies outbound (bringing Vietnamese tourists abroad), they always collect service fees from the tour guide.

Some companies that pick up inbound guests clearly stated in the contract and information for international guests will collect tips for the tour guide (illustration).

On the tourist side, Perhaps, outbound guests are often seen as more affluent, because the tour price is higher than inland, or think that the foreign behavior culture is to have to tip and accept to pay. When going on a domestic tour, there is a comparison, calculation, and the psychology of wanting to go on a tour as cheap or as cheap as possible.

There is an opinion that the inclusion of this fee for customers will increase revenue and businesses must pay more tax, which is not correct. The company can communicate with tourists, so that guests understand and pay for the tour guide themselves, which has nothing to do with the company’s revenue. So, why do outbound companies say they collect tips on the tour program sheet, but do not on the domestic and inbound tour program sheets?

For tour guideCertainly, everyone wants to receive more money in addition to the per diem (base salary) which has a common ground, although it is not high, but has been maintained for many years. Many tour guides compare with outbound tours, hope Vietnamese and international guests also accept to pay such extra fees.

There are also people who are concerned about the service fee that will adversely affect the quality of HDV, because if so, the HDV will stagnate, not doing well will also have to pay the service fee, because everyone is entitled to the same amount.

Actually that’s not the case. After the tour, the tour operators receive feedback from guests to consider whether to continue to cooperate with that tour guide or not. In case the HDV seriously violates the obligations and professional regulations, it will be handled by the legal authorities or the company immediately. In fact, many tour guides were disqualified because they did not meet the requirements of travel agencies after collaborating to lead guests on tours.

Phu Quoc’s own regulations, not forced

In terms of meaning, it is not advisable to understand the text of the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Ho Chi Minh City. Phu Quoc is illegal or has a negative impact on all other tour businesses and guides nationwide.

Because, this is an internal document, valid for members of the Association. Businesses and individuals outside like it, coordinate and apply, it’s okay if they don’t like it. This document also does not violate the law, Kien Giang Tourism Department and Kien Giang Tourism Association also know and have no opinion.

After the tour, the travel companies all receive feedback from guests to evaluate the tour guide.

The sole purpose of the document is to allow members of the Association to collect additional visitor service fees in addition to per diem (salary) to support official income, when the per diem rate is currently too low. That is, if there are HDV members to collect fees later, they will not be considered ethical violations of membership and there will be no complaints from customers.

How the membership is obtained, or if not obtained, will be adjusted by the Association in the future.

Obviously, there are no regulations forcing travel companies to follow the guide. This is an agreement between the tour guide and the travel company, so when it comes to implementation, it needs the consent of the travel company and the customer.

Mr. Truong Cong Tam, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Professional Tour Guide Association. Phu Quoc, asserting that what he did was not against the law at all. This is the association’s own policy and applies only to members of the association. If the travel agency or individual customer wishes to hire a tour guide but does not accept the fee, the association’s members will refuse to accept the tour.

In fact, in the country, many restaurants, cafes, … have applied service fees that customers still accept and pay normally. If they don’t like it, customers can choose another restaurant, no one can force them to go to a place with a service fee.

Thus, if understood in a positive way, the message of the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Ho Chi Minh City. Phu Quoc is: “Service quality is the top factor. If doing well, the service provider can ask for additional customer service fees; if it’s not good, customers will leave and the supplier or tour guide will have to pay a heavy price for failure.

Certainly, the charge to serve guests will still be a long-term debate, when currently in the psychology of a part of tourists still want to go on cheap tours and tour companies are trying to compete with tourists. equal price.

However, if you make a good product and provide quality travel services with your own class and brand, any service provider, travel agent or tour guide has the right to set a the value of wages or fees to the guests they serve.

Tran Trung