Association of Professional Tourist Guides

The Blue Badge guides of Britain win Tourism Society Award

THE BLUE BADGE guides of Britain have been recognised for their exceptional contribution to the development of tourism in the United Kingdom with an award from the Tourism Society.

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, President of the Tourism Society, presented the award at the Society's Annual Dinner. The award recognises the professional service provided by Blue Badge guides in their role as unofficial ambassadors for Great Britain representing as they do a valuable first impression for foreign visitors.
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 some 4 million of its visitors each year - 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 recognised 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.
London Guide Training Director, Katrine Prince, receiving the award last night, said:
We are delighted at this recognition of the importance and contribution of professional tourist guides fifty years after the Blue Badge qualification was created in preparation for the Festival of Britain.

The Tourism Society

THE TOURISM SOCIETY, established in 1977, is a membership organisation of individual professionals working in, studying or associated with tourism, primarily in the UK.
The Tourism Society is an active, independent organisation, often consulted by Government and other official bodies on tourism policy matters.
Its members are drawn from the whole spectrum of tourism bodies: public and private sector companies at international, national, regional and local levels - including visitor attractions, tour operators, hospitality and catering, educational institutions, consultancies and carriers.