After a longer break, I am reaching out to update you on developments within the WFTGA. Over the summer, all members of the Executive Board were heavily engaged in our professional roles as Tourist Guides – a reality many of you can relate to during the peak guiding season. At the same time, the WFTGA has been undergoing a transitional process aimed at restructuring how we manage our work within the organisation.
Until now, much of the workload has rested on the shoulders of a few individuals, particularly the President. Under the leadership of President Emeritus Alushca Ritchie, the WFTGA has made remarkable progress in digitalisation and professionalisation in recent years. However, our internal structures have not evolved at the same pace.
In our recent in-person meeting in Cyprus, we held a strategic session to prepare the WFTGA for the future. With a bold vision in mind, we developed measures aimed at promoting more efficient delegation of responsibilities and greater involvement of our members.
Key outcomes from our Executive Board meeting:
- Vision and Goals: Development of a long-term plan for the WFTGA’s future role.
- Financial Stability: A comprehensive review of expenditures and creation of a new budget plan.
- Concrete Actions: Definition of specific steps to be implemented in the coming year.
Invitation to an Open Forum
To share these plans with you and gather your feedback, we warmly invite all members and delegates to an open forum.
Forum Agenda:
- Executive Board Report for 2024
- Presentation of the WFTGA’s Vision for the Future
- Opportunities for Member Involvement in the Strategic Process
- Feedback and Discussion with Participants
The meeting will be recorded, and no prior registration is required. We hope as many of you as possible will join us to collaboratively shape the future of the WFTGA.
Monthly Newsletter Resumes in 2025
From 2025, we plan to resume our monthly newsletter. For this, we will rely on your support, particularly through contributions and updates from member associations. Further details will be provided in a special newsletter at the end of December.
Reflecting on Cyprus and Looking Ahead
Our gathering in Cyprus underscored the importance of the WFTGA Training Centre – not just as a place for training but as a symbol of collaboration and shared knowledge within our community. We are proud of what has been achieved so far and excited to take the next steps forward together.
With warmest regards and best wishes for the festive season,
Sebastian Frankenberger
President of the WFTGA