World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA)

Bringing professional Tourist Guides together since 1985, WFTGA encourages standards in tourist guiding around the world. We offer short courses in guiding skills, as an introduction as well as arefresher, and training for Trainers of Tourist Guides. Over the years our non-profit, non-political organisation has grown its expert team of trainers and today our Training Division consists of 20 Lead International Trainers, 45 International Trainers and over 200 National Trainers. 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). WFTGA represents Tourist Guides from over 100 countries, encouraging the qualification of Tourist Guides according to the definition (ISO 18513 /CEN 13908:2003): A Tourist Guide is a person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural & natural heritage of an area, which person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognised by the appropriate authority. How can you benefit from WFTGA Training? 1. In-house courses – can be arranged in situ at different localities on request. So far, courses have been arranged at the request of UNWTO, UNESCO, GIZ, USAID, Ministries related to tourism as well as at request of our member Tourist Guides Associations. 2. WFTGA International Training Centres (Cyprus and Armenia) – open courses take place on a regular basis at our ITCs and are popular with individual guides from all over the world. 3. Blended learning - As a contingency, we offer courses with an online component in preparation for the practical training. However, our training ethos stipulates that a significant part of tourist guide training must be practical, face-to-face training. WFTGA also accredits courses in accordance with EN 15565:2008 ‘Tourism Services – Requirement for the provision of professional tourist guide training and qualification