Everybody
4/02/2026
08:00 AM
to 20:00 PM
Important: In-Person Sign-In (Required)
Everybody
5/02/2026
00:00 AM
to 00:00 AM
Arrival in Fukuoka & Way to the Hotel
Original & Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 5
Pre-Programme
Everybody
5/02/2026
07:00 AM
to 07:50 AM
Check-out & Luggage
Original & Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 6
Pre-Programme
Everybody
5/02/2026
08:00 AM
to 20:00 PM
Important: In-Person Sign-In (Required)
Everybody
5/02/2026
08:15 AM
to 08:45 AM
Check-out & Luggage
Original & Alternative Post-Programme, Feb 15
Post-Programme
Everybody
5/02/2026
09:00 AM
to 22:00 PM
Check-in
Original & Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 5
Pre-Programme
Everybody
5/02/2026
15:00 PM
to 15:30 PM
Orientation Walk
Explore the Convention Neighborhood with a Local Guide
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Walking Tour
Everybody
5/02/2026
16:00 PM
to 16:30 PM
Orientation Walk
Explore the Convention Neighborhood with a Local Guide
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Walking Tour
Everybody
5/02/2026
17:00 PM
to 17:30 PM
Orientation Walk
Explore the Convention Neighborhood with a Local Guide
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Walking Tour
Everybody
6/02/2026
07:45 AM
to 16:21 PM
Overview: Takachiho – Birthplace of Japanese Myth
Original Pre-Programme & Pre-Programme for Delegates, Feb 6
Pre-Programme
Everybody
6/02/2026
08:40 AM
to 18:50 PM
Overview: Yamaga & Kumomoto – From Ancient Streets to Samurai Stories
Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 6
Pre-Programme
Everybody
7/02/2026
08:15 AM
to 17:30 PM
Overview: Aso-Kuju National Park – The Land of Fire
Original Pre-Programme, Feb 7
Pre-Programme
Everybody
7/02/2026
08:20 AM
to 18:00 PM
Overview: Izumi & Kagoshima – Coastal Beauty and Volcanic Majesty
Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 7
Pre-Programme
Everybody
7/02/2026
09:05 AM
to 16:30 PM
Delegate Pre-Programme: Aso-Kuju National Park – The Land of Fire
Pre-Programme for Delegates, Feb 7
Pre-Programme
Everybody
8/02/2026
08:55 AM
to 19:00 PM
Overview: Kagoshima – Living Traditions and the Earth’s Raw Power
Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 8
Pre-Programme
hybrid
Delegate
8/02/2026
09:00 AM
to 17:00 PM
General Assembly 2026 – Day 1
Convention Center
| 501
| 5th floor
Meeting
Everybody
8/02/2026
09:10 AM
to 17:15 PM
Overview: Beppu – The Land of Hot Springs
Original Pre-Programme, Feb 8
Pre-Programme
Delegate
8/02/2026
12:00 PM
to 13:00 PM
Lunch
Buffet Style
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
Lunch
Everybody
8/02/2026
15:00 PM
to 15:30 PM
Orientation Walk
Explore the Convention Neighborhood with a Local Guide
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Walking Tour
Delegate
8/02/2026
16:00 PM
to
Back to the hotel
Transportation
Everybody
8/02/2026
16:00 PM
to 16:30 PM
Orientation Walk
Explore the Convention Neighborhood with a Local Guide
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Walking Tour
Everybody
8/02/2026
17:00 PM
to 17:30 PM
Orientation Walk
Explore the Convention Neighborhood with a Local Guide
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Walking Tour
8/02/2026
17:01 PM
to
Free Evening
Dinner is not included on this day
Everybody
8/02/2026
17:15 PM
to 19:00 PM
Way to Your Hotel & Luggage
Original Pre-Programme, Feb 8
Pre-Programme
Delegate
8/02/2026
18:50 PM
to 20:30 PM
Cocktail Reception for Delegates
Everybody
8/02/2026
19:00 PM
to 19:00 PM
Way to Your Hotel & Luggage
Alternative Pre-Programme, Feb 8
Pre-Programme
Everybody
9/02/2026
08:00 AM
to 20:00 PM
Important: In-Person Sign-In (Required)
Delegate
9/02/2026
08:00 AM
to 08:45 AM
Way to the Convention Venue
Transportation
online
Everybody
9/02/2026
09:00 AM
to 14:00 PM
Recording Day 1
Meeting
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
09:00 AM
to 10:10 AM
Surprise Performance & Welcoming Words
Opening Ceremony
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 3
Live Performance
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
09:00 AM
to 12:00 PM
Opening Ceremony
Convention Center
| Main Hall
| 2nd floor
Meeting
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
10:10 AM
to 10:20 AM
10-Minute Break
Opening Ceremony
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 3
Break
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
10:20 AM
to 10:50 AM
Sustainability of Kyushu Island: Move Japan Forward from Kyushu
Yutaka
Aso
COB of Aso Corporation and of the Fukuoka Directive Council
Keynote
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
10:50 AM
to 11:40 AM
A “Guidebook to Japan”
Introduction to Japanese Customs & Traditions
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 3
Live Performance
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
11:40 AM
to 12:00 PM
Iaido
The Art of the Japanese Sword
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 3
Jack
James
Qualified Instructor in Musō Shinden Jūshin Ryū, Translator and Interpreter
Live Performance
Everybody
9/02/2026
12:00 PM
to 13:30 PM
Lunch
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
Lunch
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
13:30 PM
to 13:50 PM
Guiding with Values – UNESCO Normative Frameworks for Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Heritage Interpretation
Shahbaz
Khan
Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
13:55 PM
to 14:15 PM
The Evolution of Japan’s Inbound Guiding and Its Sustainable Future
Yoko
Randell
President of Japan Association of Guide Organizations (JAGO)
Keynote
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
14:20 PM
to 14:40 PM
Cultivating the Good Life: How a Character Strengths Approach Nurtures Sustainable Tourism
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| 503
| Floor 5
Dr. Balvinder
Kaur Kler
Tourism Scholar at Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Keynote
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
14:45 PM
to 14:55 PM
Summary of Global Networking Forums
Prep for Round Table Discussions
Maricar
Donato
International Trainer and Global Brand Ambassador with WFTGA
Keynote
Everybody
9/02/2026
15:00 PM
to 15:30 PM
Tea & Coffee Break
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
Break
Everybody
9/02/2026
15:00 PM
to 15:30 PM
Tea Ceremony Sign-Up
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
15:30 PM
to 15:50 PM
What do we really mean by sustainable tourism, and why does sustainable tourism matter?
Tourist Guides as Critical Intermediaries of Sustainable Tourism
Dejong
Anna
Professor at School of Social and Environmental Sustainability, University of Glasgow
Keynote
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
15:50 PM
to 17:30 PM
Bidding Countries’ Presentations
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 2
Live Performance
hybrid
Everybody
9/02/2026
17:30 PM
to 18:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
Everybody
9/02/2026
18:00 PM
to 19:30 PM
Welcome Dinner
Fukuoka International Congress Center
Dinner
Everybody
9/02/2026
18:00 PM
to 19:30 PM
Tea Ceremony Sign-Up
Everybody
9/02/2026
18:00 PM
to 18:20 PM
Japanese Drum Performance
Fukuoka International Congress Center
Live Performance
Everybody
9/02/2026
19:00 PM
to 19:20 PM
Interactive Magic Show
Fukuoka International Congress Center
Mr. Morry
Licensed Tourist Guide in Japan and Magician
Live Performance
Tourist Guide
10/02/2026
09:00 AM
to 10:30 AM
Roundtables
Shaping the Future of the Guiding Profession
Convention Center
| 501
| 5th Floor
Maricar
Donato
International Trainer and Global Brand Ambassador with WFTGA
Sarah
Janning-Picker
Roundtable