We are aware that the Individual Membership fee may appear relatively high compared to the contribution Tourist Guides usually pay through their national association. When a guide is a member of a WFTGA Full Member Association, their annual contribution to the WFTGA is usually only a few euros per year, as the association pays a consolidated fee on behalf of all its members.

This reflects the core purpose of the WFTGA:

We are a federation of associations.

Our structure is designed to strengthen cooperation within national associations, support organised representation, and ensure the sustainability of the guiding profession globally.

However, we also recognise the growing need to offer Tourist Guides — especially in countries without active or representative associations — a direct pathway into the WFTGA community. Individual Membership therefore provides access where association structures are missing, inactive, or unable to join the WFTGA.

This is a temporary solution under the current Constitution. As part of our ongoing reforms, we aim to create a fair, accessible and modern Individual Membership model from summer 2026 onward, allowing professional Tourist Guides worldwide to join directly while maintaining clear quality standards and strong ties with associations.

We have intentionally kept the Tier 5 Individual Membership fee very low to ensure that Tourist Guides from low-income countries — especially in regions where no associations exist or where the profession lacks formal structures — have an accessible and fair opportunity to join the WFTGA. This reflects our commitment to inclusivity and to strengthening the guiding profession in parts of the world where financial barriers are particularly high and professional support is most needed.