News
Armenian Guides Guild in Egypt
2007-02-20
The President of the Armenian Guides Guild, Liana Grigoryan, participated in the 12th WFTGA Convention in Cairo, Egypt on February 2, 2007. Armen Shahbazyan, the CAPS project Association Specialist, also attended. The trip was successful in presenting Armenia and in establishing relationships with guides and guide organizations from around the world.
The World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA) recognizes that tour guides are important ambassadors of a region or country, and are the first and sometimes the only representation of the population that a visitor will meet. WFTGA offers services to its members and also communicates and markets to those in search of the services of professional tourist guides. It actively promotes members associations and industry partners worldwide as well.
Participation at WFTGA 2007 Convention was of great importance not only for the Armenian Guides Guild but for the Armenian tourism industry as a whole. The Armenian delegation was able to present Armenia to the community of 184 tour guides from 37 countries and to establish relationships and join the initiatives of organizations that could support AGG and the tourism industry in Armenia. The Armenian delegation participated actively in the WFTGA Delegates Meeting where WFTGA strategic issues for the upcoming two years were discussed, elections were conducted, and selection of the country to host the WFTGA Convention in 2008 was made. A proposal was made by Armenia to increase income generating activities of WFTGA (besides dues) instead of increasing the membership fee. The proposal was passed by the majority of delegate votes. The Armenian delegation was provided advice and a checklist for hosting the WFTGA Convention and is considering, together with the broader Armenian tourism industry, bidding to host a future WFTGA convention.
The World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA) recognizes that tour guides are important ambassadors of a region or country, and are the first and sometimes the only representation of the population that a visitor will meet. WFTGA offers services to its members and also communicates and markets to those in search of the services of professional tourist guides. It actively promotes members associations and industry partners worldwide as well.
Participation at WFTGA 2007 Convention was of great importance not only for the Armenian Guides Guild but for the Armenian tourism industry as a whole. The Armenian delegation was able to present Armenia to the community of 184 tour guides from 37 countries and to establish relationships and join the initiatives of organizations that could support AGG and the tourism industry in Armenia. The Armenian delegation participated actively in the WFTGA Delegates Meeting where WFTGA strategic issues for the upcoming two years were discussed, elections were conducted, and selection of the country to host the WFTGA Convention in 2008 was made. A proposal was made by Armenia to increase income generating activities of WFTGA (besides dues) instead of increasing the membership fee. The proposal was passed by the majority of delegate votes. The Armenian delegation was provided advice and a checklist for hosting the WFTGA Convention and is considering, together with the broader Armenian tourism industry, bidding to host a future WFTGA convention.