The Institute of Tourist Guiding Lloyds Court, 1 Goodman's Yard, London E1 8AT Tel: 020 7953 1257 - Fax: 020 7953 1357 E-mail: office@itg.org.uk

April 2002

Tourist Guiding excellence promoted with the creation of the Institute of Tourist Guiding

Info sheet

In the most important development since the introduction of the Blue Badge qualification fifty years ago, the Institute of Tourist Guiding is being launched on 18 April 2002 as the standard-setting body not only for Blue Badge tourist guides but for the whole tourist guiding sector.

For the first time a career structure will exist in the sector, with recognised qualifications at each level, clearly related to the national educational levels.

The Institute has been created following widespread nationwide consultation, the involvement of both the English Tourism Council and the Tourist Guiding Foundation and the approval of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Alan Britten, Chairman of the English Tourism Council, said: 'The English Tourism Council is delighted to be associated with the launch of the Institute. High quality guiding is an absolutely vital ingredient of world-class tourism. The creation of this Institute will encourage greater professionalism throughout the tourism community, spreading best practice and greatly improving levels of customer service.'

Kim Howells, Minister for Tourism, who will host the official reception in the Palace of Westminster, said: 'I welcome the creation of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. I am sure that its status will raise the profile of tourist guiding, give the profession a much higher standing and raise standards of tourist guide training across the country. The qualification structure for the entire profession will ensure uniform standards of course accreditation and examinations and encourage best practice.'

All Members of the Institute, already numbering over one thousand, hold the coveted Blue Badge. Town or walking tour guides will be eligible to become Associates of the Institute, whilst those working on sites or giving fixed route commentaries on sightseeing buses or boats will be eligible to become Affiliates.

The London Tourist Board has supported the project throughout, whilst Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, in his Foreword to the first Institute Directory of London Members, to be published in the next few weeks, says that 'Blue Badge guides add inestimable value to the London tourism product and are one of its major and undisputed assets.'

Info sheet

For further information, application forms or to order a copy of the Institute of Tourist Guiding Directory of London Members please contact:
The Institute of Tourist Guiding, email info@itg.org.uk