The global voice of professional tourist guides
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations brings together qualified, licensed tourist guides on every continent. We speak up for the profession, set standards for training and connect guides across borders.
- NGO in operational relations with UNESCO
- Affiliate Member of UN Tourism
- Registered in Vienna, Austria, since 1987
By tourist guides, for tourist guides
WFTGA was founded in 1985 at the first International Convention of tourist guides in Israel and has been registered as a not-for-profit association in Vienna since 1987. Our members are national and regional tourist guide associations, individual guides and partners who share one belief: that a qualified local guide makes travel richer, safer and more sustainable.
Every member of our Executive Board is a practising tourist guide, elected by the delegates of our member associations. We work as volunteers, and we know the daily reality of the profession first-hand.
What we stand for
The aims of the Federation, as set out in our Constitution.
Connecting
We establish contact between tourist guide associations, individual guides, training institutes and tourism bodies throughout the world.
Representing
We represent professional, qualified tourist guides and promote the profession at international level.
Raising the profile
We enhance the image of the profession and promote the use of area-specific, local tourist guides in every region.
Setting standards
We promote a universal code of ethics and skills, and support the European and international guiding standards.
Recognised worldwide
Our voice counts where decisions about tourism and heritage are made.
UNESCO
NGO in operational relations with UNESCO, partners in protecting and interpreting world heritage.
unesco.org
UN Tourism
Affiliate Member of UN Tourism and signatory of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
untourism.intGuiding standards
We support the standards EN 13809 (definition of the tourist guide) and EN 15565 (training of tourist guides).
Tourist guide or tour guide?
A federation that spans the globe
From Vienna to Fukuoka, from Cape Town to Washington: 90 member associations in more than 50 countries carry the hand of friendship around the world. Wherever you travel, a WFTGA guide is near, qualified, licensed and local.
Where the world's guides meet
Every two years since 1985, hundreds of tourist guides from every continent come together for our International Convention: for training, exchange and friendships that last a lifetime. In 2026 the world met in Fukuoka, Japan, and in Nagasaki we signed the Peace Declaration.
The hand of friendship, stretched out to the world.Sebastian Frankenberger, President of WFTGA
Austrian tourist guide Sebastian Frankenberger has led WFTGA since 2024. Under his presidency the Federation signed the Nagasaki Peace Declaration, positioning tourist guides as ambassadors of peace, and speaks up for the profession with clear public statements, from guide safety to fair working conditions and sustainable tourism.
Discover more about WFTGA
Mission and Vision
Why we exist and where we are heading.
Read moreHistory since 1985
From 250 guides in Israel to a worldwide federation.
Read moreExecutive Board
The elected volunteers who run the Federation.
Read moreArea Representatives
Your regional contact to the Board.
Read moreCode of Guiding Practice
The ethical principles of our profession.
Read moreConstitution
The statutes of the Federation.
Read moreMake WFTGA yours
Join an association, train with WFTGA, volunteer at a convention or simply stay informed. The hand of friendship is stretched out to you.