# World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA)

> The WFTGA is the international not-for-profit federation of professional tourist guide associations. Founded in 1985 and registered in Vienna, Austria, since 1987 (Austrian Register of Associations, ZVR 679385413), it represents over 200,000 qualified, licensed tourist guides in 90 member associations across more than 50 countries. WFTGA is an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO and an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism.

Key facts:
- Full name: World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations; short name: WFTGA
- Legal form: not-for-profit association under Austrian law, seat in Vienna (c/o Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Straße der Wiener Wirtschaft 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)
- Founded: 1985 at the first International Convention of tourist guides in Israel; formally established in Vienna in 1987
- President: Sebastian Frankenberger
- Members: 90 member associations (full members), individual tourist guides and affiliate partners
- International Tourist Guide Day: 21 February, celebrated since 1990
- International Convention: every two years since 1985; most recently 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan
- Standards supported: EN 13809 (definition of tourist guide) and EN 15565 (training of tourist guides)
- Contact: info@wftga.org

## About
- [About WFTGA](https://wftga.org/about/): who we are, aims, recognition by UNESCO and UN Tourism
- [History of WFTGA](https://wftga.org/about/history-of-wftga/): milestones from 1985 to today
- [Mission and Vision](https://wftga.org/about/mission-and-vision/)
- [Executive Board](https://wftga.org/about/exbo/): elected leadership
- [Area Representatives](https://wftga.org/about/area-representatives/): regional contacts
- [Constitution](https://wftga.org/about/constitution/)
- [Legal Notice](https://wftga.org/legal-notice/)

## The profession
- [Tourist Guide vs Tour Guide](https://wftga.org/about/tourist-guide-vs-tour-guide/): definitions and the difference between tourist guide, tour guide and tour manager
- [Code of Guiding Practice](https://wftga.org/about/code-of-guiding-practice/): ethical and professional principles for tourist guides
- [Education and Qualification of Tourist Guides Worldwide](https://wftga.org/training/education-of-tourist-guides-worldwide/): how to become a qualified tourist guide
- [Nagasaki Peace Declaration](https://wftga.org/about/nagasaki-peace-declaration/): tourist guides and peace (2026)
- [Tourist Guides as Champions of the Sustainable Development Goals](https://wftga.org/activities/tourist-guides-as-champions-of-sustainable-development-goals/)
- [WFTGA Statements](https://wftga.org/services/wftga-statements/): official positions on issues affecting tourist guides

## Membership
- [Membership overview](https://wftga.org/members/)
- [Member associations (full members)](https://wftga.org/members/full-members/)
- [Individual members](https://wftga.org/members/individual-members/)
- [Affiliate partners](https://wftga.org/affiliate-members/)
- [Setting up a tourist guide association](https://wftga.org/services/setting-up-an-association/)
- [Cultour Card](https://wftga.org/services/cultour-card/): international identification for professional tourist guides

## Training
- [Training overview](https://wftga.org/training/)
- [Training courses](https://wftga.org/training/training-courses/): Hands-On Tourist Guide Training (HOT), Train the Trainer (TtT), Site Guide Training
- [Continuous Professional Development (CPD)](https://wftga.org/training/training-courses/continuous-professional-development/)
- [International Training Centres](https://wftga.org/training/international-training-centres/)
- [Trainer Conference 2027, Bar, Montenegro](https://wftga.org/training/trainer-conference/)

## Activities
- [International Tourist Guide Day](https://wftga.org/activities/international-tourist-guide-day/)
- [International Conventions](https://wftga.org/activities/convention/)
- [Convention 2026, Fukuoka, Japan](https://wftga.org/activities/convention/2026-fukuoka-japan/)
- [Bidding to host a Convention](https://wftga.org/activities/convention/bidding-for-conventions/)
- [Global Networking Forum](https://wftga.org/activities/global-networking-forum/)
- [Associations Journeys](https://wftga.org/activities/associations-journeys/)
- [Events calendar](https://wftga.org/events/)

## News and media
- [News](https://wftga.org/services/news/)
- [Press centre](https://wftga.org/services/press/)
- [Newsletter](https://wftga.org/services/newsletter-signup/)

## Optional
- [Jane Orde Scholarship](https://wftga.org/opportunities/jane-orde-scholarship/)
- [Art of Guiding e-book](https://wftga.org/training/art-of-guiding-e-book/)
- [Contact](https://wftga.org/services/contact/)