Each year on 21 February, the German National Tourist Guide Association (BVGD) organizes a Germany-wide project – the “Weltgästeführertag” or “International Tourist Guide Day” (ITGD). International Tourist Guide Day was launched by the World Federation of Tourist Guides (WFTGA) in 1990 to commemorate the day of its inauguration, and the event is now celebrated by national tourist guide associations around the world. ITGD is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate tourist guides’ professionalism, humour, sensitivity and knowledge and promote their crucial role in presenting their cities, regions, and countries.
The BVGD first introduced ITGD in Germany in 1999. Since then, the project has become a huge success under the motto “Get to know Germany for free!”. On this day, we invite the public to find out more about guiding as a profession and to enjoy special themed tours in their own city or region. We are thrilled that to date, more than 230,000 people have taken part in ITGD events in Germany!