On 17 September 2025, the Department of Tourismβs (DOT) Office of Human Capital Development (OHCD) brought together around 400 tour guides from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the first-ever Tour Guide Summit in Cebu City.
With the theme βLove Our Islands, Love Our Storiesβ, the one-day gathering created a national platform for tour guides, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to converge, collaborate, and discuss the future of tour guiding in the Philippines.
The summit recognised the unwavering commitment of tour guides as ambassadors of Philippine tourism, whose storytelling and hospitality shape the visitor experience. It also aimed to upgrade professional standards and services, ensuring consistently high-quality and enriching experiences for travellers. Beyond skills and knowledge, the event sought to empower guides with resources and opportunities, elevating their role in advancing the countryβs tourism sector.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underlined the vital role of tour guides in enhancing tourist satisfaction and strengthening the image of Philippine destinations, stressing that raising service standards is essential for a professional and sustainable industry.
As of 31 August 2025, the DOT has accredited 4,598 regional and community tour guides, with Central Visayas leading at 2,020 accredited guides.
A Message from the WFTGA President
On this historic occasion, Sebastian Frankenberger, President of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), shared a message with the tour guides of the Philippines:
βGuiding is not only about facts and figures, but about creating connections β between past and present, people and places, nature and culture. At the heart of guiding is storytelling, and with storytelling comes an ethical responsibility: to stand for truth, fairness, and respect, and to promote sustainability and intercultural understanding.
As guides, we do not just guide people through islands, streets, or museums β we guide them through ideas, histories, and values.β
In his address, he highlighted:
Storytelling as the essence of professional guiding.
The ethical responsibility of guides in shaping understanding and empathy.
The role of associations in professional growth, fair conditions, and solidarity.
The WFTGAβs new Code of Conduct, aligned with the UN Tourism Global Code of Ethics and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The contributions of WFTGA representatives Hussein Dehghan and Dimitria Papadopoulou, who are sharing insights on global guiding trends during the summit.
Watch the full message here: Video Link
