Tuesday - 10th February
Your Bookings
Workshop 1
Workshop 2
Workshop 3
10:45
to 12:15
hybrid
Everybody
ChatGPT for Tourist Guides
Speak the Language of AI, Stay Ahead of the Game
Maricar
Donato
International Trainer and Global Brand Ambassador with WFTGA
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-1
| 501
10:45
to 12:45
Everybody
The Art of Arranging Flowers
Explore Japanese Culture Through Ikebana
Koso
Katayama
Instructor at the Sogetsu School Headquarters
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-10
| 402, 403
| Floor 4
10:45
to 12:15
hybrid
Everybody
Gourmet and Food Tours
Promoting Sustainable Tourism Responsibly
Hussein
Dehghan
Tourist Guide and WFTGA International Trainer
HELGA
STURZENEGGER
Qualified Tourist Guide in Paris, Teacher at Université Paris X
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-2
| 502 Live Streaming
| Floor 5 Live Streaming
10:45
to 12:15
Everybody
KeyGuides Connect: Hands-on Tutorial and Helpdesk
(follow-up of Nick Gray's keynote speech)
Nick
Gray
CEO KeyGuidesConnect
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-3
| 405
| Floor 4
10:45
to 10:45
Everybody
Stories in the City
Designing Sustainable Tours Through Everyday Spaces
Eiktha
Khemlani
Founder of VegThisCity
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-4
| 503
| Floor 5
10:45
to 12:15
Everybody
Activate Sustainable Guided Tours
Considerations from the Perspective of Philosophy
Hiroki
Kojima
Licensed Tourist Guide and Trainer
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-6
| 404
| 4th floor
10:45
to 12:15
Everybody
The “Caring Heart” Sadako Left Us and Our Mission for Peace
Masahiro
Sasaki
Chairman of the NPO SADAKO LEGACY, Representative Director of the Association "Sadako's Paper Cranes"
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-7
| 411
| Floor 4
10:45
to 11:30
Everybody
Tea Ceremony 101
A Hands-On Introduction to Sado
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-11
| Foyer in front of the Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
10:45
to 12:15
Tourist Guide
Book your personal meeting with the WFTGA President and ExBo Members (Treasurer, Head of Training)
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-5
| 401
| Floor 4
10:45
to 12:15
Everybody
Tourist Guides as Agents of Transformation
Miriam L.
Weiss
Researcher at Eurac Research
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-8
| 406
| Floor 4
10:45
to 12:15
Everybody
The Art of the Line
An Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy
Yosho
Irie
Professional Calligrapher
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-9
| 412
| Floor 4
11:30
to 12:15
Everybody
Tea Ceremony 101
A Hands-On Introduction to Sado
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-1-12
| Foyer in front of the Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
12:15
to 13:30
Everybody
Lunch
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
12:50
to 16:00
Accompanying Persons
Cooking Class
Exclusive Programme for Accompanying Persons
Within Fukuoka City; tba
13:30
to 15:00
hybrid
Everybody
The Impact of Overtourism on Amsterdam Plus the Toledo Ordinance
Empowering Tourist Guides to Make a Positive Impact on Their Destinations
Juan Ignacio
Vazquez
Treasurer of the WFTGA
Annerose
Zoetelief
Certified Tourist Guide and Tour Manager
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-1
| 501
| Floor 5
13:30
to 15:00
Everybody
The Art of Arranging Flowers
Explore Japanese Culture Through Ikebana
Koso
Katayama
Instructor at the Sogetsu School Headquarters
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-10
| 402, 403
| Floor 4
13:30
to 14:15
Everybody
Tea Ceremony 101
A Hands-On Introduction to Sado
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-11
| Foyer in front of the Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
13:30
to 15:00
hybridin person
Everybody
Community-Based Tourism
Empowering Local Communities Through Heritage Interpretation
Masanori
Shintani
Interpretive Guide Trainer and Planner
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-2
| 502 Live Streaming
| Floor 5 Live Streaming
13:30
to 15:00
Everybody
Cultivating the Good Life: Character Strengths Approach For Tourist Guides
(follow-up workshop to Dr. Balvinder Kaur Kler's keynote speech)
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-3
| 503
| Floor 5
13:30
to 15:00
Trainer
Training Committee Working Groups:
Presentation of Findings - Cultural Dexterity and Wildlife / Nature Guiding
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-4
| 406
| Floor 4
13:30
to 15:00
Trainer
A Showcase of Universal and Timeless Guiding Skills’ WFTGA Trainers
HELGA
STURZENEGGER
Qualified Tourist Guide in Paris, Teacher at Université Paris X
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-5
| 401
| Floor 4
13:30
to 15:00
Everybody
Munich Case Study
Cooperation Between the Tourist Board and Tourist Guide Association in Guide Training and Placement
Reidun
Alvestad-Aschenbrenner
Certified Official Tourist Guide in Munich
Kordula
Kranzbuehler
Head of the Official Tourist Guide Training Programme for the City of Munich
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-6
| 404
| 4th floor
13:30
to 15:00
Everybody
250 Years Underground – The Secret Catholic Faith of Nagasaki
Kazuo
Miyata
Chief Operating Officer of the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum (Nagasaki), Part-Time Lecturer at Nagasaki University
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-7
| 411
| Floor 4
13:30
to 15:00
Everybody
Anime Pilgrimage
Connecting Pop Culture with Real Places
Jessica
Yamada
Interpreter, Translator, Tourist Guide
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-8
| 405
| Floor 4
13:30
to 15:00
Everybody
The Art of the Line
An Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy
Yosho
Irie
Professional Calligrapher
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-9
| 412
| Floor 4
13:30
to 16:00
Accompanying Persons
Lantern Painting
Exclusive Programme for Accompanying Persons
Within Fukuoka City; tba
13:30
to 16:00
Accompanying Persons
Hakata Doll Painting
Exclusive Programme for Accompanying Persons
Within Fukuoka City; tba
13:30
to 16:00
Accompanying Persons
Kimono Try-On
Exclusive Programme for Accompanying Persons
Within Fukuoka City; tba
14:15
to 15:00
Everybody
Tea Ceremony 101
A Hands-On Introduction to Sado
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-2-12
| Foyer in front of the Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
15:00
to 15:30
Everybody
Tea & Coffee Break
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
15:30
to 17:00
hybrid
Trainer
Training Division Meeting 2026
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-1
| 501
| Floor 5
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
The Heart of Japanese Cuisine:
Katsuobushi
Shinji
Nakahara
Representative Director of Nakahara Suisan Co., Ltd.
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-10
| 402, 403
| Floor 4
15:30
to 16:15
Everybody
Tea Ceremony 101
A Hands-On Introduction to Sado
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-11
| Foyer in front of the Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
15:30
to 17:00
hybrid
Everybody
Leave No Trace
Responsible Tourism and Social Media
Jun Quan
Choo
Licensed Tourist Guide in Singapore, Docent of Singapore Oceanarium
Emma
Guest-Consales
Official New York City Tourist Guide
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-2
| 502 Live Streaming
| Floor 5 Live Streaming
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
Mitsuko – A Life Less Ordinary
Reflection on One of the First Japanese Women in Europe
Clemens
Coudenhove-Kalergi
Tourist Guide in Vienna
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-3
| 404
| Floor 4
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
The Beauty of Diversity and the Challenges of Intercultural Communication
Arja
Krauchenberg
Certified Tourist Guide in Austria
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-4
| 412
| Floor 4
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
The Spirit of Zen and the Path to World Peace in a Cup of Tea
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-5
| 503
| Floor 5
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
The History and Culture of Kyushu from the Perspective of International Exchange
Yoshihide
Koizumi
Executive Vice Director of the Kyushu National Museum
Chiaki
Sakaido
Senior Researcher at the Kyushu National Museum
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-6
| 411
| Floor 4
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
Best Practice and Key Principles for Tourist Guide Associations
(highly recommended for all WFTGA Delegates)
Raniya
Dass
Lawyer Specializing in Work with Associations
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-7
| 406
| Floor 4
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
Anime Pilgrimage
Connecting Pop Culture with Real Places
Jessica
Yamada
Interpreter, Translator, Tourist Guide
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-8
| 405
| Floor 4
15:30
to 17:00
Everybody
Using a Phone Camera to Create Lasting Memories
plus WFTGA Photo Competition
James
Saunders
WFTGA ExBo
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-9
| 401
| Floor 4
16:15
to 17:00
Everybody
Tea Ceremony 101
A Hands-On Introduction to Sado
Sokyo
Shimura
Senior Teacher for Tea Ceremonies
Fukuoka International Congress Center
WS-3-12
| Foyer in front of the Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
17:00
to 18:30
online
Everybody
Online Roundtables
Wednesday - 11th February
Your Bookings
Study Tour
Meeting Point
Meeting Time
Group Number
07:45
to 17:30
Everybody
Toyota Lexus Factory & Kokura Castle
Automotive Excellence and Feudal History
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour D
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
07:45
to 17:30
Everybody
Mojiko & Kokura Castle
Trade Heritage and Feudal History
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour G
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
08:15
to 17:00
Everybody
Sacred World Heritage Site and Founding Tradition
Munakata Taisha Shrine
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour C
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
08:15
to 17:30
Everybody
Eco Town Center, Next-Gen Energy Park & Kokura Castle
A Green Technology Hub and Feudal History - Recommended for Gentle Walkers
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour E
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
08:40
to 17:30
Everybody
Fukuoka’s Eastern Seashore
Shikaumi Shrine & Seawater Desalination Center
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour A
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
08:40
to 17:30
hybrid
Everybody
Fukuoka’s Western Seashore
Fukuoka Citizens' Disaster Prevention Center & Fukuoka Tower - Recommended for Gentle Walkers
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour B
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
08:45
to 00:00
Everybody
TOTO Museum & Kokura Castle
Cutting-edge Design and Feudal History - Recommended for Gentle Walkers
Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
Study Tour F
| Lobby
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
18:00
to 19:30
Everybody
Networking Dinner
A truly unique evening
Fukuoka City Museum
Thursday - 12th February
Your Bookings
City Tour
Shopping Tour
09:00
to 12:00
hybrid
Delegate
General Assembly 2026 – Day 2
Convention Center
| 501
| 5th floor
09:00
to 12:30
hybrid
Everybody
Fukuoka Castle Ruins and Kimono
History and Tradition
City Tour A
09:00
to 13:30
Everybody
Ohori Park and Fukuoka Art Museum
Art in a Green Oasis
Yoshie
Tachiki
Nihonga Artist, Associate Member of the Japan Art Institute
City Tour B
09:00
to 12:30
Everybody
Downtown Tenjin & Kawabata Shopping Arcade
Old Town Charm and Shopping Hub
City Tour C
09:00
to 12:30
Everybody
Kawabata Shopping Arcade and Canal City
The Modern City
City Tour D
09:00
to 11:00
Everybody
Origami Class
Recommended for Gentle Walkers
City Tour E
09:00
to 11:00
Everybody
Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth Class
Recommended for Gentle Walkers
City Tour F
12:00
to 13:15
Everybody
Lunch
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Multipurpose Hall
| Floor 2
13:30
to 15:30
Everybody
Downtown Fukuoka: Tenjin
Shopping & Free Exploration
A) Tenjin Area
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
13:30
to 15:30
Everybody
Commercial Hub: Hakata Station
Shopping & Free Exploration
B) Hakata Station Area
| Meeting Point: Hotel Okura
19:00
to 22:00
hybrid
Everybody
Gala Dinner
An Unforgettable Evening
Hotel Okura
Friday - 13th February
09:00
to 12:30
hybrid
Everybody
Closing Ceremony
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 3
10:00
to 10:30
hybrid
Everybody
From Human Connection to Collective Power – The Future of Guiding in a Digital Age
Nick
Gray
CEO KeyGuidesConnect
Fukuoka International Congress Center
| Main Hall
| Floor 3