To celebrate the skills of professional tourist guides in their localities the WFTGA initiated the ITGD – the International Tourist Guides Day – on or near the 21st of February every year. This commemorates the day when the WFTGA was formed and since the 1990s, guide associations have offered free tours and events to local people to showcase our skills in our own communities.
In 1990, Mrs. Titina Loizides, president of the WFTGA was involved when it was held for the first time, 15 countries participated. Since then, tourist guides in an ever-growing number of countries have been giving help to their local communities, conducting tours for disabled persons, disadvantaged persons, children, industry partners, officials, and the general public.
Events are also held for local tourist guides including presentations and retraining courses. It is a public relations event par excellence, drawing the attention of local authorities, fellow citizens, and the media to the quality and value of the work of professional tourist guides. Each member country contributes to the success of the day in its own way; coach companies have contributed complimentary coaches, and attractions and museums have opened their doors without charge. Each year, awareness grows and there is an increasing contribution by both regional and national governments to International Tourist Guide Day.