LocationsThis International Mountain Day, explore how UNDP Malaysia is working with partner and co-funder, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, to elevate industry standards and safety for the country’s mountain tourism.
Co-creating sustainable mountain management with guides in Malaysia
December 11, 2024
UNDP Malaysia
In Malaysia, there are at least 30 mountains exceeding an elevation of 2,000 metres, with the highest mountain in Southeast Asia – Gunung Kinabalu – located in the state of Sabah at 4087 meters high. Globally, these natural wonders are home to 15% of the world’s population and host about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
With its unique landscape and wildlife, scenic beauty, culture, history and recreational opportunities, mountains are fast becoming a hotspot for tourists – placing both the ecology and travellers at risk if not managed properly, yet holding immense potential for delivering economic, social, and ecological benefits if managed well.
Recognising this, UNDP in partnership with the Eco-Park Division of the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia are collaborating to enhance industry standards and sustainable practices amongst local guides, ensuring that Sustainable Mountain Management contributes meaningfully to the economy while safeguarding nature and communities.
Panel session at the Sustainable Tourism Conference 2024
UNDP Malaysia
This initiative is part of the country office’s wider Sustainable Tourism project, which is working to promote socio-economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability for a future-ready industry. Towards this, several workshops and capacity building were organized consisting of industry experts, with both local and international experiences, as facilitators to co-create and develop industry guidelines and frameworks for mountain tourism. The on-going programme is impacting the livelihood of 1,882 certified mountain guide experts to date by the Forestry department across Malaysia.
Sustainability and Safety to protect nature and people
Part of the initiative includes the development of a Mountain Guide Risk Assessment and Management Guideline (MoGRAM), which aims to provide technical guidance to Malaysia Mountain Guides (MGP) and other agencies involved in outdoor recreational activities related to mountain hiking.
The development of the guide is important for facilitating the sustainability of the ecosystem, given that such activities furnish both environmental and social impacts – directly affecting the health and safety of mountain guides, tourists, and the surrounding ecology.
UNDP Malaysia
During one of the workshops, 63 risks were identified, which were internationally and nationally benchmarked, discussed extensively and evaluated. The final guideline will be a nationally endorsed document, with ISBN number which will be made applicable to MGP who are involved in hiking activities in the Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) area in the states of Peninsular Malaysia. This will be the first Mountain Guides Risk Assessment and Management Guideline for Malaysia.
Wage safeguards in Community-Based Tourism
Service industries—particularly community-based services—often lack a structured framework to guide pricing. This gap leaves community-based tourism services, such as mountain guiding, without safeguards.
While Malaysia is currently actively reviewing its wage policies to safeguard against extremely low wages and address income inequality through measures such as the Progressive Wage Policy, such initiatives may be less effective in informal sector settings, such as community-based tourism.
Hence, it is essential to address the responsibilities and occupational hazards, including the inherent risks and health challenges faced by Mountain Guides Professionals (MGPs), in the course of their work through a sustainable mountain guide pricing model.
UNDP Malaysia
While mountain guides are free to set their prices based on their services, willingness to pay, and the competitive market, this approach would help promote the welfare and well-being of community-based tourism services. The model ultimately aims to empower mountain guides—many from indigenous communities—with skills, fair wages, and a voice in shaping industry practices.
Bridging the gap and building pathways for youths
In formalising the role of mountain guides and creating viable career progression opportunities for interested youth or competent communities, developing a National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) is essential.
While Malaysia currently offers related national skill standards, such as land-based adventure tour guiding, localised nature guiding, and outdoor recreational services, a gap persists. Approximately 8 out of 12 core competencies commonly recognised in other countries are not addressed in Malaysia's existing frameworks.
Following discussions with the Forestry Department, the proposed NOSS aims to develop a specialised, skill-based certification as an initial step. This initiative seeks to foster inclusive growth and create decent work opportunities while tapping into new economic development sources aligned with future work trends.
Competent and certified personnel will enhance credibility in this field: for instance, Nepal offers mountain guide courses that extend to university-level degrees, providing a comprehensive career pathway—a model Malaysia could aspire to emulate.
UNDP Malaysia
Towards a more sustainable mountaineering experience
As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, these efforts in partnership with local authorities will ensure that mountain tourism thrives sustainably, offering awe-inspiring experiences while protecting the natural treasures that make it unique. In this, UNDP is assisting Malaysia to be part of the UN SDG Mountain Partnership initiative with aim for capacity building, exchange of knowledge, networking and putting Malaysia in the World.
“Collaboration is the foundation of success, and through partnership between the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia and UNDP Malaysia, we are committed to elevating the Mountain Guide to international standards.
“By combining technical expertise with environmental stewardship, we aim to enhance livelihood/income, safety, sustainability, and the professionalism (career pathway) of mountain guides. Together, we are championing sustainable and responsible tourism through conservation efforts, setting a new benchmark for eco-tourism in the region while aligning with global sustainable development goals”, said Mohd Yussainy Md Yusop, Director Eco Park Forest and States Forest Park, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia.
This article was written by Norhafiza Shafie, Programme Analyst, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy Management with contributions from Lalitha Monisha, Communications Consultant, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam.
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