Association of Professional Tourist Guides

Annual Report For The Year 2000

APTG can look back on 2000 as another year of growth and achievement.

A RECRUITMENT DRIVE in April among London's newly qualified Blue Badge guides resulted in the majority choosing to join APTG rather than other organisations available. APTG's membership grows by approximately 10% a year. This has been achieved this year and should be sustained in the coming year.
The aim of protecting and enhancing our qualification the "Blue Badge" by establishing an Institute of Tourist Guiding has taken significant steps forward this year. Firstly, APTG and the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides have jointly established the Tourist Guiding Foundation, a body to facilitate the annual registration of London Blue Badge guides and to oversee the training courses in London and other parts of the country.
A huge boost for the Foundation came when the London Tourist Board passed over responsibility for ownership, copyright and administration of the Blue Badge to it. Blue Badge guides now have control over their qualification in London at least. The establishment of an Institute of Tourist Guiding, on course to follow later in the year, will lead to the recognised standards for the training of Blue Badge guides nationally. The invaluable help and support given by MSF on working towards establishing an Institute is gratefully acknowledged.
Parliament was open to the public during the Summer recess of 2000. APTG members, along with other Blue Badge guides, had the privilege of showing visitors around the Palace of Westminster. This tremendous boost for Blue Badge guides was due in great measure to the MSF Parliamentary Committee, in both the Commons and Lords. The support and active intervention of MSF MPs and Peers was vital in enabling Blue Badge guides to demonstrate their skills in the magnificent forum of the Palace of Westminster.

Annual report 1998