Dear residents of Passau, First of all: Thank you. Thank you for your trust , for the many conversations over the past weeks, and for every single vote. After ten years of political absence, being elected to the city council again is anything but a matter of course for me. All the more, I look…
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) recognises and celebrates the vital contribution of women in tourist guiding worldwide. Tourist guiding is a profession shaped and strengthened by women. Globally, an estimated 80% of tourist guides are female. For many, guiding offers an important pathway to professional…
Dear residents of Passau, Many of you may be wondering: Why is Sebastian Frankenberger running for the city council again after a ten-year political hiatus? A valid question. Ten years of distance – out of conviction I have already been a member of the Passau City Council. And quite frankly: in recent years, my…
Tourist Guides Worldwide Celebrate Their Role as Bridge-Builders for Peace and Understanding On 21 February, tourist guides around the globe celebrate International Tourist Guide Day, honouring a profession that plays a vital role in fostering cultural understanding, dialogue, and responsible travel. This year’s message comes from Japan, where the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations…
1,000 Paper Cranes and Joint Peace Declaration Frame a Powerful Call for Truth, Context and Professional Integrity Nagasaki, Japan – 2026 During the WFTGA Conference 2026 in Japan, tourist guides from across the globe gathered in Nagasaki for a Peace Ceremony that became one of the most meaningful moments of the entire conference. Throughout…
Japan, 23 February 2026 – During the official meeting of delegates held in Japan on 23 February, the new Executive Board (ExBo) of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) was elected for the forthcoming two-year term. Sebastian Frankenberger (Austria) was confirmed in office as President and re-elected for a further two years. The…
World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Convention 2026 Addresses Professional Sustainability and Global Tourism Standards Fukuoka, Japan – 9 February 2026 – The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) opened its 2026 Convention today in Fukuoka, bringing together 600 professional tourist guides from over 50 countries alongside representatives from UN Tourism and UNESCO for…
Today, on the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the world observes International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year’s theme, “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights,” reminds us that remembrance is not merely about the past – it is a commitment to the present and future. As professional tourist guides, we stand at the…
The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) is following the current situation in Iran with deep concern. Our thoughts are with our Iranian colleagues, with whom we share long-standing professional relationships, personal friendships and a common commitment to the guiding profession. In 2017, the WFTGA held its international convention in Iran. Participants experienced extraordinary…
Dear Members, dear colleagues, The end of the year is always a good moment to pause and reflect on where we stand. This message was originally intended to reach you before New Year, but as it will now go out in the coming days, it also serves as a bridge into 2026. With our term…
