1997 Montréal, Canada

In 1997 the APGT hosted the 7th World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Convention in Montréal. The convention was a huge success and one of the best WFTGA conventions held to date. For two years it was organised entirely by a team of volunteers led by Ruby Roy and Jean Francois Perrier. It would not have been possible without the sponsorship and support of the tourism industry partners, the three levels of government and the APGT members. As a thank you, the APGT and its members offered a tour for the sponsors of the convention and a night out for all the volunteer members who helped in the preparation.

Lectures and workshops

Lectures and workshops were of the highest standard, and tourist guides of the highest quality from 26 countries were present. Highlights included Guiding and the Law by John Downes (Scotland, UK), a presentation on Canada using the Heritage Minutes by Patrick Watson, and Canada’s First Nations presented by Kanatakta, Mohawk of Kahnawake near Montréal.

Further workshops covered: how to handle sensitive issues, legal issues facing tourist guides, adding humour to your tour, storytelling (using facts efficiently), how to handle difficult situations, guides and incentive programmes, a mobile workshop on coach safety procedures, ecotourism and the urban environment, guiding in the next millennium, developing presentation skills, guiding people with disabilities, guiding youth groups, fam tours for the leisure market, a proper diet for tourist guides on the go, and guiding for journalists.

A lasting legacy

According to the participants, the convention was a success thanks to the organisation, the warmth of the local Montréal tourist guides, the educational programme, the activities and the pre- and post-tours. Organised by the APGT members, it welcomed 266 participants from 26 countries.

The WFTGA Training the Trainers programme began for the first time at the Montréal Convention. For its excellent organisation of the 7th Convention, the APGT Montréal won a ULYSSES award in 1998, a tourism prize of excellence. The bid for the prize was prepared by André Bouthillier.