WFTGA, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, is a not for profit, non political organisation which brings together professional tourist guides and encourages standards in guiding around the world. WFTGA is recognized as an NGO by UNESCO, is an affiliate member of UNWTO, and is consulted by committees dealing with European standards (CEN) and International standards (ISO). Full Membe
rs (professional Tourist Guide Associations)
2. Individual Members (where no association exists or where no association is a member of the WFTGA)
3. Affiliate Member (tourism related bodies)
Active since 1985, today the WFTGA represents Tourist Guides from over 100 countries, encouraging the qualification of Tourist Guides in accordance with the adopted Definition (ISO 18513 /CEN 13908:2003) of a Tourist Guide: A Tourist Guide is a person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area, which person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognised by the appropriate authority. The WFTGA is delivering specifically designed courses for tourist guides and trainers of tourist guides and has done so at the request of various agencies including the UNWTO, UNESCO, GIZ and Ministries related to tourism as well as our member tourist guides associations, since 1996. Throughout 2020 the WFTGA Training Division explored opportunities for learning in the virtual environment and, as a contingency, is currently offering some of their courses as a blended version with an online component in preparation for the practical training. WFTGA accredits tourist guide training courses in accordance and compliance with the European Standard EN 15565:2008 ‘Tourism Services – Requirement for the provision of professional tourist guide training and qualification programmes’. This standard stipulates that guiding skills, and contextualised area-specific knowledge are delivered simultaneously both theoretically and practically.
