Welcome to the FAQ section for the WFTGA Convention 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan!

We’ve gathered the most common questions and answers to help you prepare for an unforgettable Convention experience. Whether you’re curious about registration, travel, accommodation, the programme, or what to pack – this is the place to find clear and helpful information.

If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us directly using the contact form or via email at:

📧 convention2026@wftga.org

We’re here to support you – from your first question to your last day in Fukuoka!

Soichi1
Soichi Tatsuzato

Head of Registrations, Participants affairs

Frequently Asked Questions

The official programme runs from 9–13 February 2026, with optional Pre- and Post-Tours before and after.

Expect cool, mild winter temperatures:

  • Daytime: 8–13 °C (46–55 °F)
  • Night: 3–6 °C (37–43 °F)

 

Warm layers and a windproof jacket are recommended.

 

While we’re expecting around 350 participants, the Main Convention can host up to 700 participants from all continents, representing tourist guides, organisations, and tourism professionals.

The Pre- and Post-Programme are capped at 250 participants. 

The Convention is open to:

  • Licensed tourist guides (WFTGA members and non-members)
  • Delegates of WFTGA member associations
  • Tourism professionals and academics
  • Accompanying persons (e.g. spouses, family members aged 13+)

Yes! Accompanying persons are very welcome. They’ll follow a separate cultural programme while you attend workshops, trainings or official sessions.

The accompanying programme is designed for participants aged 13 and above.

If you wish to bring younger children, please arrange your own childcare. The host committee is happy to assist where possible – contact us at:

📧 convention2026@wftga.org

Yes. In autumn 2026, all registered participants will receive access to a secure online area with:

 

  • Presentations and materials from the speakers

  • Participant directory (opt-in) for networking and travel planning

 

A gallery to share photos with other attendees

Login credentials will be sent to all participants via email.

Yes! Accompanying persons are warmly welcome and will have their own cultural programme, running in parallel with the Convention.

Yes – a carefully curated cultural and sightseeing programme, including tours, local experiences, and culinary highlights. They’ll join Convention participants during social events and excursions where relevant.

We recommend staying at the Hotel Okura, the Convention’s partner hotel – a comfortable, centrally located 5-star property near the venue.

Other hotel options will be available in various price ranges. A full list will be published upon registration opening.

Absolutely – Japan’s unique cuisine is an essential part of the Convention experience!

Meals will include a variety of Japanese and international options to suit all tastes.

Yes. When you register, you’ll be asked to provide dietary preferences or allergy information, and the catering team will do their best to accommodate these.

Not necessarily. The airport is centrally located and accessible by public transport. A WFTGA Welcome Desk will assist with transport advice upon arrival.

We recommend installing an eSIM before your trip (e.g. via Saily) for easy, affordable mobile data. Free Wi-Fi is also available at most hotels and venues.

No. Participants are responsible for booking their own travel. 

Yes – on Pre- and Post-Programme, we will travel on Japan’s famous high-speed trains to experience sustainable and iconic Japanese travel.

Yes! The Convention is open to licensed guides worldwide, regardless of membership status.

The core programme is designed for professional tourist guides. However, those from related fields (e.g. interpretation, tourism education, cultural heritage) are also welcome.

Yes – national and local guide associations, DMOs, and tourism institutions are welcome to register. Special sessions for professional exchange are planned.

Yes. Where permitted, presentations and materials will be uploaded to the secure participant area after the Convention.

You’ll gain:

  • Inspiration, skills and new methods
  • International best practices
  • A strong professional network
  • Personal growth and unforgettable experiences

All this in a Convention by guides – for guides, with insider access you won’t find in any travel brochure.

The official working language of the Convention is English.

However, don’t worry if you’re not fully confident – this is a global community of tourist guides, and there will always be colleagues nearby happy to support and help with translation in informal settings.

We are currently exploring the use of AI-powered live translation tools to offer real-time interpretation into several languages during the main sessions – though this feature is still in development and not yet guaranteed.

For those joining us online, we aim to provide live subtitles in English, with additional languages depending on availability.

In the spirit of our profession, we believe in mutual support and understanding, and language should never be a barrier to participation or connection.

We want every participant to feel welcome, included, and able to fully enjoy the Convention experience.

If you have mobility limitations or require extra time during walks and excursions, please indicate this when registering. We will offer a special “Gentle Walker” group for selected tours and activities – with shorter walking distances, additional breaks, and appropriate transport options where needed.

Our team is happy to accommodate further accessibility needs (e.g. seating, dietary concerns, or assistance during sessions) wherever possible.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us in advance at convention2026@wftga.org so we can make arrangements that ensure your comfort and full participation.

Thank you for this great suggestion. We are still in the process of finalizing the speaker lineup and will do our best to include someone from them.

Here is the call for all speakers:
https://wftga.org/activities/convention/2026-fukuoka-japan/programm/speakers/

Yes. During the registration process, you can request a support letter. We even go a step further: you can make use of a full visa service for around €50, and we will take care of your visa matters for you.

Yes, there will be a meet & greet at the airport. For sustainability reasons, we have chosen to use the subway to reach the hotels — it’s really just four stops and very easy. If you prefer to take a taxi, the staff at the meet & greet will be happy to assist you.

The room is exactly the same. Twin means you share with a person, double for single means you are using the whole room for your own.

if your tourist gudie association is a member of WFTGA you can choose „particiona WFTGA member“. you pay a reduced price 🙂

Delegates will eventually need a support letter from their associations. However, we’ll be sending out the details about this requirement to members after November. So, for now, you can register as a delegate without uploading this letter.

Yes

The next Train the Trainer Course is starting 16th November in Cyprus: https://wftga.org/events/wftga-train-the-trainer-course-itc-cyprus/

There is no course planed in Japan before or after the convention.

Yes, you can either pay for everything as a single package (Convention, Hotel, Pre and Post tours) all at once, or you can choose to book and pay each part separately. For each payment, you’re welcome to use different credit cards or opt for a bank transfer.

We haven’t defined strict formats yet — we’re open to everything! You’re very welcome to submit any idea, whether it’s a conference-style paper, a creative format, or something entirely different.

The best way is to use the Call for Speakers form to submit your proposal, or simply send us an email at president@wftga.org. We’ll be happy to take a look and get back to you.

unlimited 🙂

Unfortunately, no.

We accept only credit card or bank transfer.

Yes, of course! Simply book the convention package without booking a Hotel.

Yes, just write us an email at convention2026@wftga.org

Special air fare prices will only be available for Japanese airlines. We are still in the middle of negotiations and will let you know as soon as a decision has been reached.

You can add more then 1 room in the registration system. 

No, this isn’t possible. Pre and post tours can only be booked after you’ve completed the registration for the Main Convention.

Expect cool, mild winter temperatures:

  • Daytime: 8–13 °C (46–55 °F)
  • Night: 3–6 °C (37–43 °F)

Warm layers and a windproof jacket are recommended.

We are currently in negotiations for dicounts with Japanes airlines.

Theoretically until November 30th but we think the Convention will be sold out in 1-2 months.

Please refer to the Convention website. Our live webinar  and PDF presentation will be posted there, explaining the registration process.

If you still have questions after seeing or reading it, please send us an email at: convention2026@wftga.org

  1. You’re going home after the Main Convention: The Main Convention ends February 13 in Fukuoka around noon. 
  2. You’re joining us for the Post-Programme: The Post-Programme ends February 17 in Kyoto in the afternoon.