At the recent plenary meeting of ISO/TC 228 held in Hangzhou on 16 May 2026, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) together with Japan Industrial Standards Committee proudly presented the proposal to establish a new ISO Working Group dedicated to tourist guide services.

The proposed project title is “Tourism and related services – Tourist guide services – Recommendations.” The project leaders are Rina Yoshikawa (JISC), who presented in person, and Ivana Ćuruvija (WFTGA), who joined online via Zoom. The new Working Group is proposed under ISO TC 228 with the working name “Tourist Guides,” with Hitoshi Isahara (JISC) as Convenor.  

The future standard is planned to provide a comprehensive framework for tourist guiding services, including: the scope of guiding services, terminology and definitions, and the broader context of tourist guiding and its stakeholders. It will define competence requirements covering knowledge, skills, language, communication and intercultural competencies, as well as professional conduct, ethics, inclusivity, accessibility, confidentiality and data protection.

Further sections will address service delivery from preparation to post-service activities, group management and the use of technology, alongside health, safety and risk management, visitor well-being, insurance and liability considerations. The document will also highlight cultural heritage protection, environmental sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Finally, it will include guidance on training, qualification and continuous professional development, as well as quality assurance, customer satisfaction, feedback and continuous improvement.

This presentation represents the first step in the process. The official proposal is now being prepared, and—if approved—the first meeting of the new Working Group is expected at the end of 2026. 

This initiative marks an important step toward strengthening the global recognition, quality and consistency of professional tourist guiding services.

Press coverage can be seen here.