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200,000 individual tourist guides. The WFTGA’s main purpose is to promote, market and enhance the image of the tourist guide, by being recognised as the professional ambassadors of a region. It encourages only area-specific qualifications and certification. Based on agreed standards the vocational qualification and certification ensures sustainable quality work for tourist guides in all regions and ensures that visitors are offered accurate and professional services.
To this end the WFTGA
• Connects professional guides and associations around the world
and brings them together through a variety of forums
• Promotes standards through a Training Division established in the
1990s which advises, accredits, trains trainers and offers short
taster courses and workshops
• Liaises with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation and Intrenational Congress and is an affiliate member of The Wiorld Tourism Organisation. It also liaises with smaller regional Federations at official level.
• Advises on policy making when asked and invited to do so, at international or regional level.
• Attends meetings around the world to promote and enhance the image of professional tourist guides (IBTM, WTM...) acting as a unified voice for all, addressing issues which are current to colleagues.
• Asks its members to adhere to a universal Code of Ethics, thus providing an assurance of high level of professionalism and a value-added service for their clients:
o Provide care and commitment, and an objective understanding of the place visited, free from prejudice or propaganda
o Ensure that what is presented as fact is true, and that a clear distinction is made between this and stories, legends, traditions, or opinions
o Deal fairly and reasonably with those who engage the services of Tourist Guides and with colleagues working in all aspects of tourism
o Protect the reputation of tourism treating the environment, wildlife, sites and monuments, local customs and sensitivities with respect
o Welcome visitors and to bring credit to the country visited and promote it as a tourist destination.
o Show Duty of Care
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