We regret to announce the death of our dear colleague Rena Michaelidou, who passed away last week.   The funeral was attended by many Cypriot guides who were there to say the last goodbye to our beloved friend and colleague, and give their condolences to her grieving husband, her three sons and family. Titina read a most touching eulogy on behalf of the CTGA. Rena graduated the Cyprus/CTO School for TGs in 1974. 

All who attended the Cyprus Convention in 1989 will remember Rena Michaelidou, a lovely colleague and ardent promoter of the tourist guide profession in Cyprus; she was one of the organizers. As former  President of the Cyprus Tourist Guides Association between 1978 to 1984, she also started with courses for qualification of trainers; clearly, she was one of the first to join the CTO course lead by Katrine Prince OBE, in 1994. During the following years Rena Michaelidou also served as WFTGA Area Representative.

Rena was continuously involved in the organizing of official relations with authorities and quality management for the guest; she kept her positive approach to life even after she was hit with illness and confined to a wheelchair: she brought and distributed happiness wherever she went, to all who surrounded and lived with her. Her idealism and constructive work for the country’s tourism was rewarded last year by her colleagues with the title of “Lifelong Honorary President of CTGA”.

WFTGA is feeling with the mourning family, the countless friends in her country but also around the world: WFTGA will keep Rena in best memory.

Felicitas Wressnig

WFTGA President