Run your own course with WFTGAโs seal of approval (endorsement)
Did you know that you can create your own course and have it endorsed by the WFTGA? This is exactly what a group of WFTGA Trainers have done. The Online Guided Tours Teamย that consists of 5 WFTGA trainers created a course based on the use of technology to provide Online Guided Tours to people who […]
Reopening the 2028 Bidding Process
We would like to inform our members and partners of an important update regarding the current bidding round for a future WFTGA Convention. We received several expressions of interest, and the deadline for submitting all required documents was yesterday. Unfortunately, only one bidder provided the full set of documents; however, this bid did not meet […]
Hands on Tourist Guiding (HOT) Course – Sabah, Malaysia
The Sabah Tourist Guide Association, with their very own trainers under the leadership of Grace Leong, delivered another HOT Course under accreditation. Course Accreditation empowers our qualified WFTGA Trainers to provide their own courses locally in the place, at the time, with the price structure and in the language best suited to local requirements. Valid […]
Convention 2026 โ Webinar 2 | Workshops, Keynote speeches, alternative Pre- and Post- Programmes
We’d like to extend an invitation to all of you, both registered participants and those still deciding, to join our second webinar on November 20th at 12:00 (noon) CET. During this session, we will share details about the alternative Pre- and Post-Programmes, walk through the day-by-day schedule, provide insights into the keynote speeches, workshops, and […]
Opening of the WFTGA Train the Trainer Course, Cyprus
Welcome speech to the participants of the Train the Trainer Course, Cyprus 16 to 30 Nov 2025 By Viola Lewis, WFTGA ExBo Member, Head of Training Dear Colleagues, dear esteemed guests, dear supporters and sponsors, Deputy Ministry of Tourism, University of Cyprus, Cyprus Tourist Guides Association dear Titina Loizidou WFTGA President Emeritus, It is an […]
Vox Aura: A New Tool That Supports Tourist Guides and Expands Their Opportunities
Vox Group is pleased to share an update with the international guiding community on the launch of Vox Aura, the new AI-powered device that delivers real-time multilingual commentary during guided tours. The system was introduced at WTM London 2025 and is currently in final trials with key partners worldwide. The wider rollout is anticipated for […]
World Tourism Day 2025 in Theldeniya: A Celebration of Sustainable Tourism
On 10th October 2025, the town of Theldeniya in Sri Lanka hosted a vibrant and meaningful celebration of World Tourism Day, under the theme of ecological awareness, cultural pride, and youth education. The event was organised by the Central Province Tourist Guide Lecturersโ Association, in collaboration with the Dumbara Mithuro Environmental and Cultural Society and […]
WFTGA Applauds Toledoโs Groundbreaking Tourist Flow Ordinance โ A Global Model for Sustainable Urban Tourism
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) proudly commends the City of Toledo (Spain) for its pioneering municipal ordinance designed to manage tourist flows in the historic city centre. This forward-looking regulation marks a decisive step toward a sustainable, inclusive and resident-friendly tourism model, balancing the needs of the local community with those of […]
Speak Clearly, Lead Confidently: Accent Training for Touristย Guides
A team of volunteers – mainly WFTGA Trainers – came together to provide conversation sessions for our colleagues in Fukuoka, Japan, in preparation for our 2026 Convention.ย Our ranks were strengthened by Jessica Campbell – an expert on accent improvement. Something for your off-season CPD? Speak Clearly, Lead Confidently: Accent Training for Touristย Guides WFTGA recently […]
New Partnership: WFTGA and Keyguides Connect โ A Digital Opportunity for Tourist Guides Worldwide
We are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership between the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) and Keyguides Connect, a new digital platform designed to empower professional tourist guides across the globe. Keyguides Connect is not just another marketplace โ itโs a tool built with guides in mind, offering visibility, flexibility, and fairness. […]
Bridging Connections of Understanding
Guild members joined an inspiring cultural orientation at the Embassy of Japan, hosted by the Japan Information & Culture Center, in Washington DC as part of their preparation for the WFTGA Convention 2026 in Fukuoka. On 20 October 2025, members of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C. were warmly hosted by the […]
New WFTGA Endorsed Course – The ABC of online guided tours
New CPD Opportunity for Tourist Guides We are delighted to announce the launch of theย ABC ofย Online Guided Tours (OGT) CPD Training Course, endorsed by theย World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA). Free course preview: Join us on Tuesday, November 4, at 16:00 CET.ย Get an overview of the content, format, and outcomes, and ask your questions […]
Reflections of a newly qualified WFTGA National Trainer
WFTGA Train the Trainer Course โ Willemstad, Curaรงao – supported by Curaรงao Tourist Boardย This past August, I had the privilege of joining the WFTGAโs Train the Trainer course in Willemstad, Curaรงao, organised by the Curaรงao Tourist Board. As a seasoned tourist guide, I wasnโt quite sure what to expect, but the experience exceeded every […]
World Tourism Day Celebration in Makeni Elevates Tourism with NACTOG Sierra Leone
Makeni, Sierra Leone โ The National Association of Certified Tourist Guides (NACTOG) Sierra Leone amplified World Tourism Day with a dynamic programme featuring a symposium, cultural displays, and a childrenโs fun day. The event underscored Makeniโs embrace of World Tourism Day and highlighted the invaluable contributions of passionate tour guides to the sectorโs growth. The […]
World Tourism Day 2025 โ โTourism and Sustainable Transformationโ
Tourist Guides and the Real Work of Sustainable Transformation Vienna โ On this yearโs World Tourism Day, celebrated under the UNโs theme โTourism and Sustainable Transformationโ, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) proudly reaffirms its commitment to a tourism future that is just, inclusive, resilient, and human-centred. As an NGO Affiliate of UN […]
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Munich Tourist Guide Association
Munich, Germany โ The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) is proud to join the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Munich Tourist Guide Association. On this special occasion, WFTGA President Sebastian Frankenberger addressed the gathering, paying tribute to the achievements and contributions of the association and its members. โIt is a great […]
Guiding Peace: Building Bridges Through Tourism – On the Occasion of the 80th United Nations General Assembly
Vienna โ On this significant day, as the United Nations convenes its 80th General Assembly under the banners of peace, cooperation and sustainable development, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) stands in alignment with these global aspirations. As a non-governmental affiliate of the United Nations, the WFTGA believes that Tourist Guides are uniquely […]
The First DOT Tour Guide Summit in the Philippines
On 17 September 2025, the Department of Tourismโs (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 โLove Our Islands, Love Our Storiesโ, the one-day gathering created a national platform for tour guides, industry […]
Endorsed CPD Course: Halal Tourist Guide Training
Earlier this year WFTGA endorsed the first CPD Course. Now the team is ready to bring this course to you. To put your name on the mailing list for course dates e-mail the course team. What is it about? Tourist guides play a crucial role in shaping the image and experience of a destination. As […]
Responsible Tourist Behavior Guidelines
Drafted by SIT Faculty Distributed at Beijing Tourist Guide Stations The Responsible Tourist Behavior Guidelines, drafted by Mr. Liu Tang, faculty member of the Shanghai Institute of Tourism, have recently been distributed at tourist guide stations across Beijing. Developed in accordance with the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism issued by the United Nations World […]
Registrations Now Open for the CPD Course: Heritage Interpretation โ Krakรณw, Poland, December 2025
WFTGA is delighted to announce the next Continuous Professional Development opportunity for qualified tourist guides: the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training course, certified by Interpret Europe. This 5-day, in-person programme will take place in Krakรณw, Poland, from 8โ12 December 2025, in cooperation with the Maลopolska Institute of Culture and the WFTGA Training Committee. This internationally […]
Shanghai Institute of Tourism Students Showcase Responsible Tourist Behavior and Net Zero Carbon Tourism at World Vocational College Skills Competition
At the 2025 World Vocational College Skills Competition taking place on 25-26 August, 2025, four students from the Tourism Management Program of the Shanghai Institute of Tourism won the Silver Award in the Tourism track with their project โSilk Road International Tourism University Cultural Exchange Tour.โ The project, themed โRemembering the Truth of History, Moving […]
Slow tourism, simple freedom โ with the Deutschlandticket
One click, one subscription, and youโre free: the Deutschlandticket lets you travel all local and regional trains, buses, trams and metros across Germany for 58โฌ per month. Add your bike for just 6โฌ a day and suddenly the country opens upโno planning stress, no complicated fares, just jump in or out wherever curiosity calls. Since […]
In Memory of Giovanna Maria Giammarino โ A Call to Action for the Guiding Profession
It is with profound sorrow that the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) learns of the tragic passing of Giovanna Maria Giammarino, a 56-year-old Italian tourist guide who collapsed and died while leading a tour at the Colosseum amid sweltering heat on August 20, 2025. Despite efforts to save her life, she passed away […]
Bidding for the Convention 2028
We are excited to announce that bidding for the WFTGA Convention 2028 is now open โ with a completely redesigned process. We have learned from past experiences and created a clear, transparent, and supportive bidding framework, now outlined step-by-step on our website. You can also watch the recording of our webinar introducing the new process. […]
Call for Keynote Speakers & Workshop Facilitators
As we prepare for the WFTGA Convention 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan, we are looking for inspiring keynote speakers and experienced workshop leaders to contribute to our diverse and dynamic programme. This is a unique opportunity to share your expertise, inspire fellow guides from around the globe, and help shape the conversations that will define the […]
WFTGA Statement โ Support for Maintaining Licensing Requirements for Tourist Guides in Montreal
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) has issued a formal statement to the City of Montreal, expressing strong support for keeping the licensing requirement for tourist guides in place. Licensing ensures high professional standards, protects visitor safety, supports sustainable tourism, and strengthens local economies. In our letter of 25 January 2025, we highlighted […]
WFTGA Statement โ Appeal to Preserve Bulgariaโs Tourist Guiding Regulation
he World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) has formally appealed to the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria to maintain its existing Tourist Guiding Regulation. This regulation ensures that only qualified, certified guides may professionally practise in Bulgaria, safeguarding the quality, authenticity, and integrity of the countryโs cultural tourism offer. In our […]
Best Tourist Guide of Chile – Training, Inspiring, and Celebrating Excellence
Best Tourist Guide of Chile โ Training, Inspiring, and Celebrating Excellence By Helga Sturzenegger, WFTGA International Trainer What a privilege and a joy to recently train 26 passionate tourist guides from FEGUITUR Chile as part of the very first National Competition โBest Tourist Guides and Guides of the Futureโ 2025. This exciting initiative, organised by […]
Introducing co-opted WFTGA Training Committee Member: Zhanar Gabit
Following the Sabah Trainer Convention earlier this year the Training Committee has welcomed a number of co-opted members, who are now contributing their talents and time to specific training-related projects. Today, let’s meetย National Trainer in Kazakhstan:ย Zhanar Gabitย (pictured above at the Heritage Interpretation CPD Course in Armenia).ย Many of you will have met Zhanar at the […]
Alternatives to Pre- & Post-Programme! Update
We’re delighted to share some highly anticipated news!ย One of the most frequent questions we receive is, “Will there beย alternatives to the sold-out Pre- and Post-Programmes?” We can now officially confirm with a resounding “Yes!”
Welcome to the WFTGA Convention 2026 โ Your Journey Begins!
Dear Participant, A warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations โ you are officially registered for the WFTGA Convention 2026 in Japan! We are truly delighted to have you with us. From this moment forward, we are here to accompany you on your journey โ to make your Convention experience in Japan inspiring, enjoyable, and stress-free. To […]
Convention 2026 | Optional Tours
we’re absolutely thrilled that preparations for the WFTGA Convention 2026 are well underway, and we wake up each morning to new registrations from all over the world! โค๏ธ This incredible demand brings some bittersweet news: The Pre-Programme is indeed sold-out. We are currently working on alternatives and will notify you as soon as plans are […]
Weaves and Wonders: Tour Guides Preserving Cultural and Natural Heritage Through Responsible Tourism
The 12th National Tour Guides Convention and General Assembly, hosted in the breathtaking province of Davao Oriental, was a convergence of passion, culture, and professional growth. Organized by the Philippine Federation of Professional Tour Guide Associations, Inc. (TGFed) in partnership with Guide Davao, the local tour guide association, and warmly supported by the Department of […]
Tourist Guides and War
By Amir Hossein Masoudi, National Trainer, World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) In light of the ongoing war in Iran, I felt compelled to reflect on the role of tourist guides during times of conflictโviewing our profession through a different lens. This essay, originally published on Iranian tourism and social media platforms, is now […]
Walking with Legends: A Cultour Card Visit to Recoleta Cemetery
By Helga Sturzenegger, WFTGA Member Thanks to theย Cultour Card, I recently enjoyedย free access and a guided tourย ofย Recoleta Cemetery, one of Buenos Airesโ most iconic landmarks. Often compared toย Pรจre Lachaise in Paris, Recoleta stands out as a place whereย Argentine history and funerary art convergeย in a setting of remarkable beauty and symbolism. Like Pรจre Lachaise, Recoleta is […]
Lion Sandsโ Jason Gipson wins Safari Guide of the Year 2025 at Prestigious National Awards
The prestigious Safari Guide of the Year Awards (SGOTY) has officially named Jason Gipson of Lion Sands Game Reserve as the 2025 Safari Guide of the Year, following an intense multi-day competition held at Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. Founded in 2011 by Mike Karantonis and endorsed by the Field Guides Association of […]
WFTGA at the FEGUITUR International Convention in San Pedro de Atacama
Our two Area Representatives, Helga Sturzenegger and Patricia Oviedo, had the pleasure and unique opportunity to participate in the international convention organized by FEGUITUR in the stunning setting of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The programme featured inspiring and thought-provoking conferences. Highlights included a session on astronomy, with insights from the nearbyย ALMA Observatoryย โ one of […]
WFTGA Statement on Heat Warnings: Professional Responsibility Begins with Self-Care
As heatwaves across Europe intensify, our responsibility as tourist guides grows โ not just toward our guests, but also toward ourselves. Extreme heat is no longer an exception; it is a new reality that demands attention, adaptation, and solidarity within our profession. In these challenging conditions, the role of licensed and well-trained guides, especially those […]
“Free Tours” in Focus: A Fair Dialogue on Quality, Professionalism and Sustainable Practices
In recent years, Free Tours have become a familiar feature in urban tourism landscapes worldwide. What began as an innovative, customer-oriented modelโoffering “pay-what-you-like” walking toursโhas grown into a global phenomenon. These tours, often promoted via digital platforms with impressive marketing strategies and social media reach, have succeeded in capturing a significant market share. At the […]
Convention 2026 Japan – Register now!
A huge thank you to so many of you who joined us live for the webinar introducing the 2026 Convention! We were truly delighted and overwhelmed to see people from all over the world connecting with us and each other. It really emphasized the reach of our global guiding community,
When Silence Becomes a Lie: Queer History as an Opportunity for City Tours
Tour guides are more than navigators โ they decide which stories survive. It’s high time that queer history finds its natural place in guided tours. Matthew Lรณpez poses a fundamental question in his play “The Inheritance”: “If we can no longer be in conversation with our past, what will our future be?” These words strike […]
Tourist Guides as Catalysts for the Sustainable Development Goals
An Essential Partner for Sustainable Development The Overlooked Agents of Sustainability Whilst the world grapples with the triple challenges of climate change, global inequality, and cultural polarisation, there exists a professional group working daily at the frontlines of human connection and sustainable change: Tourist Guides. They are the invisible architects of cultural exchange and the […]
Empowering Responsible Tourism through Education: A Case Study from Shanghai Institute of Tourism
As the global tourism industry continues to recover and evolve in the post-pandemic era, the role of tourist guides has never been more essential. At the Shanghai Institute of Tourism (SIT), we believe that guides are not only interpreters of destinations but also educators for responsible travel behavior. To that end, we have developed a […]
NU Baliwag School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Joins the Celebration of National Tour Guides Day 2025!
In partnership with the Central Luzon Tour Guides Association (CLTGA) and Department of Tourism Region III, we proudly celebrate the passion and purpose of our tourist guides the heart of cultural storytelling and heritage preservation. ย June 16, 2025 Event Title: Tourist Guides 3:0 โ Guiding Society Towards Sustainable Development ย This yearโs celebration spotlighted […]
Train the Trainer Course now OPEN for applications
Do you share the desire to become a world-class tourist guide? Are you dreaming of passing on your skills and knowledge to the next generation of tourist guides? Are you keen in shaping the future of our ever evolving profession? Well, now is the time to become a WFTGA Trainer.ย We are inviting applications for […]
Official Statement of the WFTGA on Peace, Diversity and Human Dignity
As the global federation of tourist guides, we count among our valued and beloved members diverse individual members and associations from around the world. We continue to extend our heartfelt thoughts to all affected by ongoing painful conflicts and wars. War is never a solution for disputes. At our core, humanity seeks peace, connection, and […]
Newsletter: The Wait Is Over โ Registration for WFTGA Convention 2026 Opens Soon!
Dear colleagues and friends, After months of anticipation and careful preparation, the moment weโve all been waiting for has finally arrived: The registration for the 21st WFTGA Convention 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan is about to open! To celebrate this special occasion, we warmly invite you to join us for a live launch webinar on: Date: […]
Convention 2026 | Newsletter #5
Dear colleagues, dear friends of the WFTGA, We hope our recent newsletter about the WFTGA Convention 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan, has sparked your excitement and anticipation for this very special gathering of our global guiding community. Today, we would like to provide a brief but important update regarding registration. While our initial plan was to […]
From one guide to another: Pope Leo XIVโs message to journalists โ an inspiration for tourist guides worldwide
On 12 May 2025, Pope Leo XIV addressed members of the global media with a powerful message that resonates far beyond the walls of newsrooms. His words serve as a profound reminder of the role we play as Tourist Guidesโpathfinders, storytellers, and ambassadors of peace. The Pope likened the work of journalists to that of […]