Vienna, 8 May 2025 – On this significant day, marking the end of World War II, we not only remember the historical event but also acknowledge the profound responsibility it carries. Tourist Guides around the world play a crucial role in conveying history and its consequences. It is time to overcome the longstanding taboo that…
Today, we bid farewell to Pope Francis – a man whose life and work deeply touched the world. He stood as a symbol of kindness, humility, and profound humanity. His unwavering commitment to the poor, the marginalised, and the vulnerable will remain in our hearts and calls us all to reflect on our own responsibilities….
From March 10 to 13 the Chamber of Commerce elections an opportunity for all of us to play an active role in shaping the future of entrepreneurs in Austria. In Upper Austria, I myself had the privilege of 2015 to 2020 as a mandatary in the WKO and see how committed people are doing great…
Last weekend, I had the honor of giving a talk at the Weltenburger Gesprächskreise at the invitation of the KKV Bayern. My topic: Church, monasteries and tourism – and in particular the art of church tours. Because a visit to a church is more than just an excursion – it is a journey through history,…
It gives me great pleasure to invite you to the Weltenburg Talks 2025 to invite you! From February 28 to March 1, 2025 we will meet in the beautiful Benedictine monastery Weltenburgto think together about the future of the church, about encounters and about new ways of communicating. I will be speaking about the importance…
Today is an important day: the Bundestag elections in Germany. I have already been to the polls and – as always – was inspired by the Wahl-O-Mat. But an election decision should not only depend on the party platforms. It’s worth taking a close look at the candidates: How do they speak? What tone of…
Every year on 21st February, tourist guides around the world come together to celebrate International Tourist Guide Day (ITGD), honouring their profession and its vital role in society. The 2025 theme, “Tourist Guides as Peace Ambassadors,” highlights the unique contribution of guides in fostering understanding, inclusion, and harmony among cultures. “As tourist guides, we don’t…
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – In a time when borders are being reinforced and differences are often used to divide, Tourist Guides play a crucial role in fostering connections, explaining cultures, and promoting mutual understanding. However, this responsibility requires much more than just local knowledge—it demands excellent guiding skills, intercultural competence, conflict management abilities, and the…
On 31 January, 2025, Sebastian Frankenberger, president of the WFTGA delivered a talk on Artificial Intelligence for Tourist Guides to members of the NFTGA. He showed how recent developments in A.I. can now enable guides to automate and simplify many time-consuming tasks such as replying to emails, creating and updating schedules, preparing summary documents of…
Yesterday, Sebastian Frankenberger, president of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, addressed a group of DC tour guides at the George Washington School of Business on the Ethical Responsibility of Tourist Guides in the Age of Alternative Truths and Populism. He explained that tourist guides today, in addition to conveying historical and architectural information,…
