Iran Federation of Tourist Guide Associations: ITGD 2018

 

Part 1

Iran Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, IFTGA, came into being five years ago. Then, there were about 11 local associations who felt the urge to have a wider network pursuing their guild dreams and aiming for international standards like they had held the ITGD convention since 2007.

One year after the establishment of IFTGA in 2014, we invited the president of World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, Felicitas Wressnig, to Iran on ITGD which was held in Kerman- IFTGA’s 7th National Convention. This was the first step to show the international arena what our capabilities are- to gather 700 tourist guides for a three-day program in Kerman on the occasion of ITGD. The following year, Ruby Roy was invited to the 8th ITGD Convention in Iran held in Mashad- February 2015.

Having organized seven large scale national conventions, IFTGA bid committee members participated in 2015 WFTGA Convention in Prague inviting all members to come to Iran. Earning the trust of the general assembly, our WFTGA colleagues decided to be pampered by Iranian hospitality. As a result, IFTGA endeavored to meticulously organize 2017 WFTGA Convention and host its international colleagues. It is alleged to be one of the memorable ones.

So far, we have held ten ITGD conventions serving the same international guild purposes as well as presenting one region to our colleagues. The procedure in organizing this three or four-day program is almost the same as WFTGA convention- a combination of tours, workshops and networking which demand a lot of team work. This year, our 11th National Tourist Guides Convention will be held in Kermanshah.

 

Part 2

Iran Federation of Tourist Guide Associations encompasses 21 associations and 5 NGOs who will assemble in Kermanshah celebrating the 11th National Tourist Guides Convention on 2018 ITGD. The program is to visit four cities including Paveh, Sar-e Pol-e Zahab, Kangavar, and Kermanshah where the venue is.

The program lasts four days and three nights hosting 450 people: 347 tourist guides(IFTGA members), 24 officials of the province of Kermanshah, 30 reporters and photographer, 44 experts in tourism like travel agents and the like and 5 guests of honor.

We are going to start our program on February 20th. In three days, four cities in the province of Kermanshah including cultural and archeological attractions will be visited. There is a variety of attractions in Kermanshah namely the world-known bas-reliefs of Bistoun and Tagh Bostan. In the meantime, the tourist guides will sit at some workshops. What is more, Kermanshah is known for its music and on the last night there is a band playing such music.

There will be the third annual IFTGA General Assembly held on February 22nd discussing the latest issues at hand. The closing ceremony will be on February 23rd starting at 09:57am like the last ten conventions presenting our punctuality. This ceremony includes some speeches, admiring the guests of honors and top tourist guides from different associations, as well as cherishing our large family.

In the afternoon, all the guests fancy the tourism exhibition held in the sidelines of the convention and later in the day they leave Kermanshah.

 

Part 2-facts

We would like to share some of the facts about organization of the 2018 ITGD in Kermanshah between May 2017 and early January 2018.

Kermanshah Tourist Guides Association has held 200 sessions equivalent to 400 hours. They have composed 250 pieces of news and 12 official announcements in order to fully cover the ins and outs of what is happening or what their province is like. Various workshops were held for the administrative team or the tourist guides who will lead the groups. Some of the IFTGA members including EXBO who had previously been involved in ITGD or WFTGA organizing committee, had been to Kermanshah providing useful tips and ensure the program is on the right track.

It is noteworthy that after the disastrous earthquake in Kermanshah, Nov 2017, we thought of changing the convention venue; but after negotiations with the governor and tourism organization chief of the province, we came to the conclusion that maybe this is the right time to do it there. As a result, the theme of the convention is earthquake and we have some programs for those who suffered.

In addition, holding the convention in Kermanshah helped our diligent colleagues grow into a wider and cohesive association.

International Relations Committee