Code of ethics

 General rules

1. The Code of ethics for Mountain Leaders in Bulgaria applies in all cases of exercising the profession of Mountain Leader.

2. In their work, Mountain Leaders comply with the Bulgarian legislation and this Code of ethics. The regulations of the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) and the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) are also used as good practices.

3. The Mountain Leader has a professional liability insurance.

4. The protection of the life and health of the clients takes precedence over the implementation of the program/activities when they are in a mountainous and natural environment, regardless of whether the program/activities are assigned by an employer or are the subject of a contract with the clients.

5. The Mountain Leader exercises the profession in accordance with safety standards, the current legislative framework and the official definition of the profession (as well as the different levels of the profession). He/She refuses commitments that do not meet his/her professional competence according to the National Tourism Register. He/She only accepts work that corresponds to his/her acquired qualifications and for which he/she is legally qualified.

6. The Mountain Leader constantly maintains, refreshes and expands his/her knowledge and competencies.

7. The Mountain Leader has the right to lead individual clients and/or tourist groups abroad, in accordance with the requirements of local legislation.

8. Damaging the prestige of the profession of “Mountain Leader”, including behavior inconsistent with safety standards and the official definition of the profession, is considered unethical behavior by a Mountain Leader.

9. The Mountain Leader respects the culture of the local communities and strives not to change their way of life. He/She educates and encourages his/her clients to have the same behavior.

Attitude towards the natural environment

10. The Mountain Leader strives to have no negative impact on the natural environment, whether in a protected area or outside it. He/She educates and encourages his/her clients to have the same nature-friendly behavior.

11. The Mountain Leader complies with the restrictive nature conservation regimes, does not organize or conduct activities that pollute or damage the natural environment.

Customer service

12. The Mountain Leader informs himself/herself about the weather conditions and the actual situation in the mountain and/or region in which he/she leads clients, and soberly and objectively assesses the environment when choosing a route or activity in a mountainous area.

13. The Mountain Leader has an equal attitude towards all his/her clients, regardless of their gender, age, nationality, religion, physical and mental qualities.

14. The selection of routes, specific paths/options for crossing, complexity, workload and activities in a mountainous and natural environment should be made by the Mountain Leader, taking into account the age of the clients and their background, with particular attention paid to children.

15. The Mountain Leader is responsible for the safety of the clients.

16. The Mountain Leader takes care of creating and maintaining team spirit and a positive atmosphere among his/her clients.

17. In his/her work with clients, the Mountain Leader instructs them and helps them discover the mountains in all aspects – geography, history, climate, livelihood and culture of the local people. This also includes training in nature conservation, respect for the culture of the local people, rules and measures for safety in the mountainous and natural environment. In all cases, the Mountain Leader also sets a personal example with his/her own behavior.

18. The Mountain Leader regularly checks and maintains in good condition the equipment he/she uses, including outdoor clothing. This applies to both his/her personal equipment and that which he/she may provide to clients under contract or in exceptional circumstances.

19. The Mountain Leader carries out the agreed program/activity with full transparency regarding the conditions, price, mandatory equipment, responsibility, etc. in a mountainous and natural environment – what is included and what is not included in the proposed price, what personal equipment the clients should have. The information also contains the conditions for transferring responsibility to the clients in case they do not follow the Mountain Leader’s instructions and deviate from the agreed routes and activities on their own initiative.

20. The Mountain Leader considers and agrees with the number of clients he/she leads on a given hike, taking into account the characteristics of the terrain and the route (technical difficulty, duration) and especially with his/her skills and ability to manage the group in a normal and in a critical situation, as well as with the accepted rules and norms in the professional environment. He/She takes into account the climatic and meteorological conditions, the equipment of the clients, their physical, mental and technical preparation, in order to assess and take the necessary preventive measures to avoid incidents.

21. The Mountain Leader constantly monitors the level of physical, technical and mental preparation of his clients. The Mountain Leader has the right to terminate a client relationship (prevent a client from continuing a tour) if he/she is not adequately equipped and/or his/her personal capabilities do not allow him/her to perform the activity safely and this may endanger his/her life or health, as well as that of other clients or third parties. Particular attention is paid to children.

22. The Mountain Leader shall not, in principle, abandon his clients, except under the supervision of another responsible and competent person (Mountain Leader, Mountain Guide, hut owner, etc.) at the Mountain Leader’s discretion, using a safe and secure location for this purpose. An exception to this rule may only be made in the event of the Mountain Leader’s need to provide immediate assistance to one or more clients or to go and seek help.

23. If the Mountain Leader has to prevent a client from continuing a tour due to his/her inability to cope with the route or in order to preserve his/her health, the Mountain Leader does so in the most respectful manner possible for the client and informs the contracting authority about this as soon as possible.

24. In the event of an accident, the Mountain Leader is obliged to inform the emergency number 112 or the Mountain Rescue Service and provide first aid to the injured person/s, while ensuring the safety of the other clients.

Relationships with colleagues

25. The Mountain Leader treats his colleagues with respect. In case of need, he/she provides them with assistance.

26. Upon noticing a violation committed by a colleague, the Mountain Leader first attempts to inform his colleague about it and to comment on the case, with the aim of eliminating the violation now and in the future.

27. When working with trainees, the Mountain Leader transmits to them both his knowledge and skills, as well as the values enshrined in the Code of ethics.

28. The Mountain Leader maintains collegial relations with other representatives of the mountain professions (hut owners, mountain rescuers, ski instructors, meteorologists, forest and park employees, lift operators, employees in tourist information centers and municipalities, etc.), as well as with all those practicing mountain tourism.

29. The Mountain Leader must not discredit his colleagues with false, inaccurate (unproven or unverified facts) and ill-conceived statements.

30. Upon noticing a violation or problem (existing or potential) in a group (or in a client) of a colleague, the Mountain Leader informs his/her colleague as quickly as possible and without the knowledge of the clients.

31. The Mountain Leader shall notify his colleagues and other persons passing through an area of any dangers he/she has identified in the mountains (including sudden deterioration of the weather, damaged trails, missing markings, etc.), if he/she is the first to learn of this. At the earliest opportunity, he/she shall also report this to the competent institutions.

32. If unfair competition and illegal actions are established in a mountainous and natural environment, the Mountain Leader shall notify the competent institutions as soon as possible.

Relationships with tour operators and other clients

33. The Mountain Leader owes the contracting authority (organization, company, etc.) who provides work for him/her, respect, loyalty and professionalism in fulfilling the contractual commitments for the program, route and services. If these could potentially endanger the life or health of the client, the Mountain Leader should discuss this with the contracting authority first.

34. In order to maintain collegial relations and preserve the good name of the service provider, it is important that the Mountain Leader undertakes commitments that are only in line with his/her capabilities and qualifications.

35. The clients of the contracting authority are not clients of the Mountain Leader. By virtue of his commitment as a “Mountain Leader”, he/she must maintain complete confidentiality regarding any agreements of a logistical, financial or creative nature related to the uniqueness of the tourist product/program or package of services. The Mountain Leader has no right to advertise his/her services or those of other colleagues or other service providers during the duration of the contract.

36. The Mountain Leader may and should refuse work commitments if he/she finds that the requirements of the tour operator or other entity or assignor of the “Mountain Leader” service (permissible under the Tourism Law) go beyond the framework of the law, the safety standards in the mountainous and natural environment, his/her level of competence and this code.

37. The Mountain Leader informs the client of any contradictions with the current legislation and safety standards in the profession and, if necessary, assists in amending the tour programs.