I am feeling very proud and professionally happy about the start of the New 2025 year with the online session l initiated, moderated and co-organised as Mariia Rastvorova_(WFTGA National Tourist Guide Trainer for Ukraine) with a great support of Mateusz Tomaszczyk (WFTGA Lead International Trainer) and Viola Lewis (Head of WFTGA Training)

Geopolitical turbulence has become a characteristic of the time we live. Many countries, including Ukraine are affected by military aggression. From perspective of professional development of tourist guides forming new skills and competencies with a response to nowadays challenges is crucially important.

Thus discussion with the colleagues from Israel, Ukraine, Lebanon and Iran has brought many insights and much more questions and thoughts.

I would like especially to thank my Ukrainian colleagues who conduct tours today during the war Всеукраїнська асоціація гідів Nataliia Likhytska and organise the work of tourism sector Управління туризму та промоцій Київської міської державної адміністрації Marina Radova and who joined the session.

The contrbutions of Yoni Shapira, President of Moreshet Derech and Alina Tomer (WFTGA National Trainer in Israel), Hussein Dehghan (WFTGA International Trainer) were very insightful.

We are continue to work on this topic.

Watch the recording of the session

‘Tourist Guiding during turbulent times’ on 27 January 2025 was the first session in the WFTGA Training Division’s NEW Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Series. This groundbreaking session was offered free of charge, reflecting our commitment to empowering guides worldwide.

As we continue this CPD journey, let’s embrace our motto:

“Stay Ahead, Stay Informed, Stay Inspired.”

Thank you to all participants who joined us – what an incredible turnout it was with 56 attendees from across the globe! … including …

Lisbon, Portugal – Iran – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Copenhagen, Denmark – Cyprus – Strasbourg, France – Georgia – Ireland – Sabah, Malaysia – Tirana, Albania – Lviv and Kyiv, Ukraine – Tallinn, Estonia – Athens, Greece – Zagreb, Croatia – Israel – Manila, Philippines – Santiago, Chile – Poland – Cape Town, South Africa – England – Scotland – Serbia – Vienna, Austria – Germany – Sweden – Kosovo – Lebanon

Here’s to many more meaningful sessions, shared knowledge, and global connections!