The global voice of professional tourist guides
Welcome to the WFTGA press centre: press releases, background material, images and direct contacts for journalists covering tourism, cultural heritage and the guiding profession. We respond quickly, speak plainly and are happy to provide expert voices from every region of the world.
WFTGA at a glance
Founded 1985
Registered as an NGO in Vienna, Austria, under the Austrian Associations Act.
90 member associations
National tourist guide associations in more than 50 countries worldwide.
200,000+ tourist guides
The largest global community of qualified, locally licensed tourist guides.
Recognised worldwide
Affiliate Member of UN Tourism and partner of UNESCO initiatives.
Training and standards
Internationally recognised training programmes and the Code of Guiding Practice.
Advocacy and peace
From the Nagasaki Peace Declaration to defending licensing standards worldwide.
A note for editors: a tourist guide is a qualified, locally licensed professional who interprets the cultural and natural heritage of a specific area, not to be confused with a tour guide, tour leader or tour manager. Read the full definition.
Press contacts
Working on a story about tourist guides, cultural heritage or global tourism? We are happy to help with interviews, statements, background information and images.
Sebastian Frankenberger
President
Interviews, statements and policy positions
Languages: English, German
president@wftga.org
+49 170 9323103
Emma Guest-Consales
Vice President, Public Relations portfolio
Press enquiries, materials and image requests
Languages: English
vicepresident@wftga.org
General press enquiries: info@wftga.org. We aim to respond within 24 hours. Interviews are available in person (Vienna), by video call or by phone. Time zone: CET/CEST.
Boilerplate: about WFTGA
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) is the global voice of professional tourist guides. Founded in 1985 and registered as an NGO in Vienna, Austria, WFTGA represents around 90 national associations with more than 200,000 tourist guides in over 50 countries. The Federation promotes high standards of training, ethics, sustainability and professional recognition, and advocates for qualified, locally licensed tourist guides worldwide. WFTGA is an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism and a partner of UNESCO initiatives.
This text may be reproduced verbatim in any editorial coverage of WFTGA.
Background material
- WFTGA Press Backgrounder 2026 (PDF, 2 pages)
- Logos and brand assets: available on request via info@wftga.org
- Biography and high-resolution portrait of the President: available for editorial use
Images for editorial use
Free for editorial use in connection with coverage of WFTGA. Please credit as indicated. High-resolution versions and more images are available on request via info@wftga.org.
Latest press releases
All press releases may be republished free of charge with attribution to WFTGA. For official positions on regulation, licensing and ethics, see our WFTGA Statements.
Blue Badge Tourist Guide Mark King Honoured with an MBE for Services to Tourism
From the official Institute of Tourist Guiding press release, June 23, 2026: In 1949, The Daily Telegraph advertised a new
Healing Happens in the Encounter — Why Tourist Guides Are Europe’s Untapped Health Resource
A New Voice in the Health Tourism Conversation The Overlooked Health Partners Whilst Europe debates the future of health tourism
Women Guiding the World – Recognise, Respect and Support Female Tourist Guides
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) recognises and celebrates the vital
International Tourist Guide Day 2026
Tourist Guides Worldwide Celebrate Their Role as Bridge-Builders for Peace and Understanding On 21 February, tourist guides around the globe
WFTGA Peace Ceremony in Nagasaki Highlights Ethical Responsibility of Tourist Guides Worldwide
1,000 Paper Cranes and Joint Peace Declaration Frame a Powerful Call for Truth, Context and Professional Integrity Nagasaki, Japan
New Executive Board of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) Elected in Japan – President Sebastian Frankenberger Confirmed in Office
Japan, 12 February 2026 – During the official meeting of delegates held in Japan on 12 February, the new Executive
Need an expert voice?
Our Executive Board and member associations speak for tourist guides in more than 50 countries.