International Tourist Guide Day

Saturday 19 February 2005

International Tourist Guide Day 2005 - the best yet!

INTERNATIONAL TOURIST GUIDE DAY originated at the 1987 summit of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations as a way of raising the profile of the guiding profession. It is an annual free event held in mid February, with the active participation of approximately 50 professional guiding associations worldwide.
In London on Saturday 19th February 2005, Blue Badge Guides offered:

Nearly 30 free guided tours - a record number
DIY walking tours, with a common start point and a free map. Blue Badge Guides were stationed at key points to explain and entertain.
Charitable events and support of worthy causes (closed to the general public).

Read the full report

Every year, Blue Badge Tourist Guides introduce Britain to millions of visitors. Between us we speak over 40 different languages. We give live and relevant commentary in many settings:

London walking tours
Highlights tours of the British Museum & Spencer House
Excursion coaches to sights in around London and throughout Britain
Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) tours (during summer recess)
Personal driver guides for small groups.

In honouring Blue Badge Guides with a millennium award, The Tourism Society said:

Blue Badge guides in their unofficial but pivotal role as the country's tourism ambassadors, raise the status of Britain in the eyes of visitors - to the extent that many are inspired to repeat the experience time and again.

Coming from all walks of life and undertaking extensive and costly training designed to ensure a high degree of professionalism, Blue Badge guides are accomplished presenters and interpreters of the British way of life. The standards they have set are recognized internationally and provide a model for guide training worldwide.

Blue Badge guides add inestimable value to the British tourism product and are one of its major and undisputed assets.

We have a depth and breadth of knowledge of London which no guidebook or recorded commentary can begin to equal. Whether you are a first timer, a frequent visitor or even a long time resident, we can enthral you with stories of London's past ... present ... and future. Always insist on a Blue Badge Guide.

To find out more about Blue Badge Guides or to book a guide, explore this site further or visit our sister site at www.touristguides.org.uk.