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 engagement: the flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities, the opportunity for self-employment, and access to professional training that can often be pursued alongside other commitments.
This flexibility has opened doors for many women – including those returning to the workforce, those seeking additional income for their families, and single parents striving for economic independence. Tourist guiding has therefore become not only a profession of cultural interpretation but also a pathway to empowerment, independence and social participation.
However, this reality also brings responsibility. Professions in which women represent the majority must not be undervalued or treated as marginal. Tourist guides play a critical role in cultural interpretation, visitor management and the preservation of heritage. Their work requires professional training, deep knowledge, communication skills and strong ethical standards.
As the global voice of professional tourist guides and an Affiliate Member and partner of UN Tourism as well as a partner of UNESCO initiatives, WFTGA advocates for the recognition of tourist guiding as a qualified profession that contributes directly to sustainable tourism and cultural understanding. Our work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
To policymakers and tourism authorities around the world, WFTGA sends a clear message: Quality training, certification and regulation protect not only visitors but also the professionals who dedicate their careers to interpreting the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Education is central to this mission. Through the internationally recognised WFTGA Trainings, we support the professional development of tourist guides across the globe. Our programmes not only train guides but also prepare International Trainers, many of whom are women, who then contribute to capacity building and professional education within their own countries and regions. In this way, women are not only the backbone of the guiding profession but also leaders in its professional development and future.
Sebastian Frankenberger, President of WFTGA, states:
“Tourist guides are ambassadors of culture, dialogue and understanding. The fact that the vast majority of guides worldwide are women highlights the importance of ensuring fair working conditions, professional recognition and equal opportunities in tourism. When we strengthen the profession of tourist guiding, we also strengthen the independence, economic participation and visibility of women across the globe.”
Beyond professional recognition, tourist guides themselves play an important role in advancing gender equality. Through the stories they tell, guides shape how history and heritage are understood. Too often, women’s contributions have been overlooked in historical narratives.
WFTGA therefore encourages guides worldwide to actively include women’s perspectives in their storytelling: highlighting the achievements, struggles and leadership of women throughout history. By bringing these stories to light, tourist guides contribute to a more balanced understanding of our shared heritage and help promote gender equality through cultural interpretation.
On this International Women’s Day, WFTGA proudly stands with the women who guide the world — and calls upon governments, tourism stakeholders and communities to recognise, support and respect the profession that makes cultural heritage accessible to millions of visitors every year.
