Want to host the 2027 Trainer Conference – last call

Last Call! The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) is calling on members, partners and stakeholders to host our 2nd Trainer Conference in 2027. This premier event features both the core conference and pre- and post-conference training courses. We are seeking a well-connected, affordable, and accessible destination to welcome our global community of tourist […]

A warm welcome to WFTGA’s new National Trainers

Since 2006, WFTGA has hosted training courses at its Cyprus International Training Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the University of Cyprus and with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. These courses provide experienced tourist guides with the opportunity to earn a WFTGA Trainer Qualification, while working alongside colleagues from across the globe in […]

Training Deaf-Certified Guides – A Journey of Learning, Solutions, and Inclusion

by Sarah Janning-Picker (WFTGA National Trainer and Area Representative) At the end of 2024, Hamburg Guides launched a dedicated training initiative together with three deaf participants, developed in close collaboration with the local Deaf Association. The idea was sparked by an already active deaf guide, whose commitment and enthusiasm encouraged others to begin their own […]

WFTGA endorses first external CPD course for Tourist Guides – an exciting new chapter of stakeholder engagement

WFTGA is pleased to announce a ground-breaking co-operation with a new stakeholder – AR Tours, based in Naples, Italy.  AR Tours is an established expert in developing digital augmented reality content for historic sites. Eager to extend their reach and enhance their skills training offer, AR Tours reached out to the World Federation of Tourist […]

WFTGA 2026 Convention – Advance Convention Training and Preparation Programme

As anticipation builds for the WFTGA 2026 Convention, the spotlight falls not only on the event itself, but on the vital preparation that takes place beforehand. For professional tourist guides, training is more than a necessity — it’s the bedrock of excellence, ensuring that each guide is ready to deliver outstanding experiences to visitors from […]

WFTGA Training: Building the Foundation for Strategic Transformation

By Viola Lewis, Head of Training (2019 to 2026) As I approach the constitutional end of my term as Head of Training it is time to reflect on achievements whilst highlighting the critical strategic work that now needs to begin – work that will require fresh leadership and vision. Major Achievements: Sabah Trainer Convention and […]

Run your own course with WFTGA’s 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 Team that consists of 5 WFTGA trainers created a course based on the use of technology to provide Online Guided Tours to people who […]

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 […]

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 […]

Speak Clearly, Lead Confidently: Accent Training for Tourist  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. 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 Tourist  Guides WFTGA recently […]

New WFTGA Endorsed Course – The ABC of online guided tours

New CPD Opportunity for Tourist Guides We are delighted to announce the launch of the ABC of Online Guided Tours (OGT) CPD Training Course, endorsed by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA). Free course preview: Join us on Tuesday, November 4, at 16:00 CET. 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 – Willemstad, Curaçao – supported by Curaçao Tourist Board  This past August, I had the privilege of joining the WFTGA’s Train the Trainer course in Willemstad, Curaçao, organised by the Curaçao Tourist Board. As a seasoned tourist guide, I wasn’t 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 — 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 children’s fun day. The event underscored Makeni’s embrace of World Tourism Day and highlighted the invaluable contributions of passionate tour guides to the sector’s growth. The […]

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 […]

Best Tourist Guide of Chile – Training, Inspiring, and Celebrating Excellence

Best Tourist Guide of Chile – 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 “Best Tourist Guides and Guides of the Future” 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 meet National Trainer in Kazakhstan: Zhanar Gabit (pictured above at the Heritage Interpretation CPD Course in Armenia).  Many of you will have met Zhanar at the […]

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.  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 […]

Calling Members to host WFTGA Training Courses

The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) is constitutionally committed to raising the global standards of professional tourist guiding through high-quality training and promotion of ethical practice worldwide. But we cannot do it alone. At our inaugural Trainer Convention in Sabah in February 2025, we reaffirmed our mission to make accessible, sustainable, in-person training […]

Trainer Representative 2025 to 2027

WFTGA’s Training Committee proudly oversees the day-to-day training-related activities of our global network for professional tourist guides. The committee’s members hold distinct positions and perform specific, crucial tasks. A key role within the committee is the liaison between the entire WFTGA Trainer Team, composed of over 100 trainers, and the committee. This essential connection is […]

Newly qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guides for Scotland

News from the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) by Vice-Chair Fergus Halliday It was an absolute joy and pleasure to be at the Cowane’s Trust Hospital to welcome our latest batch of qualified guides in Scotland. The Scottish Tourist Guides Association Blue Badge, is a globally accredited, 20 month-long qualification that proves both the knowledge […]

2025 WFTGA Sabah Trainer Convention – Workshop Announcement 6

Have you ever wondered if you are fully up-to-date with your training methods or if there are ways to work smarter? Learn from Maricar Donato, the master of embracing trends and innovations and be inspired by her energy and passion for training.  Topic: Smart, Sustainable and Savvy – Modernise your Training Methods Facilitator: Maricar Donato […]

2025 WFTGA Sabah Trainer Convention – Workshop Announcement 5

Working as a tourist guide and especially trainer of tourist guides can bring stress and intensity. We all want to give our best, always. However, we can’t look after others, if we don’t look after ourselves and find ways to relax. Topic: Health & Wellness in Training – The Use of Essential Oil by Mdm […]

2025 WFTGA Sabah Trainer Convention – Workshop Announcement 3 and 4

The Art of Storytelling in Training Wildlife/Nature Guiding   Facilitator: Grace Leong (WFTGA National Trainer) With her extensive 35 years guiding experience and continuing training assignments with Government and Colleges, as well as WFTGA, Grace will be leading 2 workshops with special emphasis on sustainable training and guiding practices. Join us for the Inaugural WFTGA […]

2025 WFTGA Sabah Trainer Convention – Workshop Announcement 2

The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) give us an overarching and wide-reaching framework for ambition and action. Discover how you already embrace the SDG and how to further integrate them into your training activities.  Topic: Training Tourist Guides as facilitators of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Facilitators: Viola Lewis (WFTGA Lead International Trainer) and […]

2025 WFTGA Sabah Trainer Convention – Workshop Announcement 1

What exactly is the role of WFTGA trainers and how can they become truly sustainable, with leaving a legacy across cultures? Topic: Facilitation in the work of the trainer (ITtT debrief) Facilitator: Mateusz Tomaszczyk (WFTGA Lead International Trainer) Description: The workshop is intended to point out the differences in the facilitator’s approach in the context […]

Tourist Guiding During Turbulent Times – Maria Rastvorova (WFTGA National Trainer)

I am feeling very proud and professionally happy about the start of the New 2025 year with the online session l initiated, moderated and co-organised as Mariia Rastvorova_(WFTGA National Tourist Guide Trainer for Ukraine) with a great support of Mateusz Tomaszczyk (WFTGA Lead International Trainer) and Viola Lewis (Head of WFTGA Training) Geopolitical turbulence has […]

2025 Sabah Trainer Convention – Keynote Speakers announced

Only three weeks to go to our inaugural WFTGA Trainer Convention in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The convention theme is Sustainable Training without Borders.  We are delighted to announce three prestigious keynote speakers who will address this theme during the opening plenary on Thursday 20 Feb 2025: Dr. Maklarin Bin Lakim (Director of Sabah Parks) […]

WFTGA Cyprus International Training Centre hosts 2 successful courses

(Report by Demetra Argyrou Viguier, WFTGA Lead International Trainer) The WFTGA “Train the Trainer” and “International Train the Trainer” Courses, held in Cyprus in November 2024, have successfully concluded, marking an important milestone in the professional development of tourist guides from across the globe. This intensive two-week training brought together participants from 11 countries, creating […]

2025 WFTGA Trainer Convention – register now

We are thrilled to invite all WFTGA Trainers to join the first ever Trainer Convention, hosted by the Sabah Tourist Guide Association. Let’s get together for a global gathering dedicated to advancing excellence in tourist guide training while embracing sustainability and innovation. Register here: WFTGA TRAINER CONVENTION 2025 REGISTRATION FORM Download the Trainer Convention Brochure here […]

Train the Trainer Course – Applications now OPEN

Are you ready to refresh your guiding skills and upgrade to become a WFTGA Trainer? We are again offering a 14-day in-person Train the Trainer Course at our International Training Centre in beautiful Cyprus, from 17 Nov to 01 Dec 2024. Applications are now open and will close on 15 September 2024. Places are limited […]

Meet the WFTGA Training Committee 2024 – 2026

WFTGA is dedicated to the promotion of high standards of training and ethics within the [tourist guide] profession (WFTGA Constitution, Article 2). Hence, we have a team of qualified and dedicated trainers, called the Training Division. The day-to-day training-related activities are led by the WFTGA Training Committee, which is formed every 2 years. Meet the […]

Train the Trainer Course CANCELLED

It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that the Train the Trainer Course, planned for March 2024, in Armenia had to be cancelled. Our colleagues in Armenia are facing severe geo-political and economic problems and up until now were unable the confirm sponsorship for the course. Hotel prices are extremely […]

Applications for Train the Trainer Course now open

The next open WFTGA Train the Trainer (TtT) Course will be offered in Yerevan, Armenia from 10 to 23 March 2024. Applications are now open via this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TtTArmenia2024 This 14-day course is residential and accommodation is included in the course fee. Course fees are likely to be in the region of 2,500 EUR per […]