APTG IN EUROPE

Fédération Européene des Associations de Guides Touristiques

European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG)

FEG WAS FOUNDED in 1986 in Paris. FEG is a non-profit association with the following aims:

• to group together the Tourist Guide associations of the countries of Europe and particularly those of the European Union (EU)
• to strengthen members' professional links and protect their interest
• to represent the Tourist Guide profession at European level and at national government within each member country in order to promote collective professional interest
• to publicise and improve the quality of service offered by the Tourist Guide profession at European level

Our definition of the Tourist Guide profession is used by the European Commission and widely across the tourism industry.

FEG definition of the Tourist Guide

The person who possesses an area-specific Tourist Guide qualification issued and/or recognised by the appropriate public authority in the country concerned. The role of the Tourist Guide is to guide visitors from abroad or the home country, in the language(s) of their choice, interpreting the natural and cultural heritage of the area of qualification.

The Role of the Tourist Guide

The Tourist Guide's main role is to escort groups or individual visitors from abroad or from the guide's own country around the monuments, sites and museums of a city or region interpreting, inspiringly and entertainingly, in the visitor's own language the cultural and natural heritage and environment.

The Tourist Guide must be qualified in various ways: particularly in linguistic competence and in terms of wide general knowledge with specific reference to the history, geography, art and architecture, economics, politics, religion and sociology of the area of qualification. Accordingly, most countries with considerable inbound tourism have seen fit to legislate and make educational provision in this field: Tourist Guides must undertake examinations leading to a qualification recognised by the relevant regional or national Tourist Authority.

The very specific nature of the Tourist Guide profession is threefold:

1. In-Depth Environmental Interpretation - the Tourist Guide is the well-informed intermediary between up-to-date research in all the above mentioned fields and the many different levels of tourist demand and interest.
2. Operation in a clearly defined Geographical Area - is necessitated by the breadth and depth of knowledge required together with the associated practical skills and itinerary planning. Developments in many fields are so rapid as to require frequent and considerable update study and ongoing professional training at a level that can encompass at the most an area equivalent to one of the EEC member states.
3. Specialised Linguistic Knowledge - as well as speaking languages fluently, the Tourist Guide must be acquainted with the specialist terminology in all the above mentioned fields so as to achieve the necessary precision and directness of communication.

In this regard, it would clearly be beneficial for all visitors (and particularly those travelling in groups) to benefit from the services of Tourist Guides who are unofficial ambassadors for their specific areas as are Tour Managers, in a general way, for all the countries covered by an itinerary. We hope that European Community Consumer Protection moves will also ensure that visitors do not fall into the hands of unqualified persons. Due to the very diverse provision in various member states, IATM and FEG have formulated proposals for new Community norms governing our professions with suitable homogenous criteria for all states. Entrance to our professions based upon standardised selection processes and uniform levels of final qualifying examinations provides quantifiable service and tourist/consumer protection.