International Tourist Guide Day
Every year on or near 21 February, professional tourist guides around the world celebrate their profession by giving something back to their own communities.
A day to celebrate our skills
To celebrate the skills of professional tourist guides in their localities, WFTGA initiated International Tourist Guide Day (ITGD), held on or near 21 February every year. It commemorates the day WFTGA was formed. Since the 1990s, guide associations have offered free tours and events to local people to showcase our skills in our own communities.
When it was held for the first time in 1990, with 15 countries participating, Mrs Titina Loizides, then President of WFTGA, was involved. Since then, tourist guides in an ever-growing number of countries have been giving back to their local communities, conducting tours for disabled and disadvantaged people, for children, industry partners, officials and the general public.
Happy International Tourist Guide Day 2026!
What happens on ITGD
Each member country contributes to the success of the day in its own way.
Celebrating skills
Showcasing the skills of professional tourist guides in their own localities.
Free tours and local events
For disabled and disadvantaged people, for children, industry partners, officials and the general public.
Drawing attention
Making local authorities, fellow citizens and the media aware of the quality and value of the work of professional tourist guides.
A public relations event par excellence
Events are also held for local tourist guides themselves, including presentations and retraining courses. ITGD draws the attention of local authorities, fellow citizens and the media to the quality and value of the work of professional tourist guides.
Coach companies have contributed complimentary coaches, and attractions and museums have opened their doors free of charge. Each year awareness grows, and regional and national governments contribute more and more to International Tourist Guide Day.
Share how you celebrated
Please send reports on your activities to news@wftga.org, and post them on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) with #WFTGA or #ITGD.