The Convention for licenced, professional Tourist Guides
During the closing dinner we will
Interested in joining us virtually?
For those attending virtually you can join us for the welcoming and closing sessions, as well as the option to join our Educational Day and Professional Day. Wondering who will be host to the 2024 WFTGA Convention? You can join us virtually to view their final presentations to the WFTGA Audience, with the announcement taking place during the closing ceremony.
Interested in joining us in person?
For those choosing to attend in person, you will of course be able to join all the days, including the Educational Day, Experiential Day, and Professional Day, as well as the Welcome and closing dinner. It will be a great opportunity to engage with some of our members and colleagues in person following a 3-year hiatus since our last Convention held in 2019 in Tbilisi.
The in person event will have plenty of opportunities to network and meet with colleagues. (adhering to Spanish health protocols and regulations)
We are collaborating with our Affiliate member, Guiding-Group and will be using their latest technology while we explore the city of Madrid.
We are working on a few exciting workshops to bring to you during our Hybrid sessions.
The Ministry of Industry, commerce and tourism are sponsoring us for our Experiential Day out in Madrid. Lets explore this historical city.
We have an extremely interesting lineup of Guest speakers and Presenters during our Educational and Professional days.
Our closing event is sure to be one for the history books! With special announcements, guest speaker, entertainment and stunning venue.
Join us virtually for the first hour.
2019 – Tbilisi, Georgia| 2017 – Tehran, Iran | 2015 – Prague, Czech Republic | 2013 – Macau, SAR China | 2011 – Tallinn, Estonia | 2009 – Bali, Indonesia | 2007 – Cairo, Egypt | 2005 – Melbourne, Austrailia | 2003 – Dunblane, Scotland | 2001 – Nicosia, Cyprus | 1999 – Hong Kong, China | 1997 – Montréal, Canada | 1995 – Singapore, Singapore | 1993 – Pretoria, South Africa | 1991 – Tampere, Finland | 1989 – Nicosia, Cyprus | 1987 – Vienna, Austria | 1985 – Tel Aviv, Israel
Excludes:
Officially appointed Delegates only
Pre-registration compulsory
Experience the tour with the local Tourist Guides.
Sponsored by the the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism – Spain
Workshop for participants (in person only)
City excursion
Training Division meetings
10:00am start time
General Assembly – part 2
3:00pm start time
Officially appointed Delegates only
Pre-registration compulsory
Interested in hearing from the Professionals and leaders in the industry?
Join us for this day of high profile and informative Speakers.
Closing session with guest speaker, WFTGA announcements
7:30pm – 8:30pm
Closing dinner – In person only
Depart hotel on Friday after breakfast and head to the old city of Segovia with a local tourist guide. Visit to the roman Aqueduct followed by a visit to Alcázar. Lunch at leisure.
Head to the medieval town of Toledo, home for 2 nights. Dinner included at a local restaurant.
Saturday we will enjoy a walking tour of Toledo with a local tourist guide. Lunch is included as well as a few unique and special experiences in the town of Toledo. Dinner at leisure.
Sunday departure from Toledo to the Madrid international airport.
We have put dynamic and interesting guest speakers together.
Welcome address
Adolfo Reyes, Head of Membership and Associations from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) will open our Professional Day.
How to drive and ensure Legacy
Join David Noack Perez from the Madrid Convention Bureau and Lesley Williams, Managing Director at the Best Cities Global Alliance as they present a case on Associations and members working closely with destinations and partners to ensure Legacy.
Working with partners – a success story
Our colleagues from CEFAPIT, Juan Ignacio will introduce their partner Monica Figuerola, Head of International Business Development. Monica will discuss the interesting agreement that has formed between the Tourist Guide Association and the Hospitality program of the Hospital Quiron for visitors to Spain.
Ethical Storytelling
Tara Todras-Whitehill will continue with a second part to her presentation from the Educational Day. Be sure to join to catch her tips and thought provoking content.
How you can leverage e-commerce tools like Shopify to start your own business
Janice has 15+ years as a Tour Operator & Guide. She recently launched Indie, a software built to help small operators and Guides launch their own business. Work for yourself leading the tours you have always led and rebuild your business with more control over your margin and distribution.
Chantal Cooke is an award-winning environmental journalist and broadcaster – turned PR guru. Chantal is on the Board for WFTA where her particular focus is on sustainability and planet-friendly food.
How to create an impactful online presence and stand out from the competition
The global pandemic changed the game. It negatively affected many industries and even left many without work. Only the ones willing to adapt and find their spot in the online world continue to grow and find their ways to succeed.
With limited resources, only a smart Internet marketing strategy can make you competitive.
With a vast amount of experience Ulrich will share his views on moving forward post pandemic and explore some new technology options available to tourist guides. Ulrich joins as as a follow up from our Virtual conference held in early 2021.
NOTE: accommodation is EXCLUDED
WFTGA promotional code may be used when making reservation to secure a preferential rate.
7th to 10th Feb.
deadline for registration January 31
11th to 13th Feb.
Join us as we explore the medieval towns of Spain.
2 nights / 2,5 days
deadline for registration January 31
5th to 10th Feb.
deadline for registration January 31
Venue / Hotel
Our Host hotel is centrally located to public transport, tourist sites, many restaurants, and stores. We will be only steps away from Grand Via, Madrids most famous street.
More information on our host hotel.
WFTGA participants receive a special rate when reserving their accommodation. Book directly with the hotel using the Promotional code: WFTGA2022
It is important to note that you need to make your accommodation arrangements directly with the hotel on the link provided. The Host hotel is surrounded by many alternative accommodation options should you prefer a different hotel, contact them directly.
Rates (including breakfast):
80 euro single room / 95 euro double room / 125 euro triple room
Please, make sure, your travel documents are valid in accordance with the current rules for your country.
In the registration form you can apply a visa support letter.
Arriving into Spain requires the completion of an online Health form. Remember to complete this before your arrival.
Thanks to the high vaccination rates across Spain and Madrid (around 80% of the population have now been fully vaccinated), and a significant drop in the infection rates, a sense of normality finally started returning to the city in October 2021.
Since 20 September, all restaurants, cafés and night clubs may now open as late as their licenses allow, and shopping malls, markets, shops cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries no longer have to apply capacity limits.
