Dear Colleagues, Tourist Guides, WFTGA Partners and Friends,
Re: ANNOUNCEMENT – 19th WFTGA Convention Postponement
This announcement serves to inform you that the World Federation of Tourist Guide
Associations Executive Board and our Hosts, the Serbian National Tourist Guide
Association, hereby announce the postponement of the 19th WFTGA Convention which
was scheduled to take place in February 2021.
The current global Pandemic (Covid-19) outbreak has made it impossible to predict the future of travel and the uncertainty of cross-border movement restrictions of both local and foreign visitors remain high. Given that on average our convention attendance comprises of members from over 50 countries this is an essential consideration.
As part of the decision, we entered a consultative process and conducted ‘best practice research’ with other International Associations and Meeting planners. We considered every possible concern including financial, contractual, health and so forth. This was a difficult decision for the team to make because the event is so important and one which we all look forward to attending.
The 19th WFTGA Convention will now take place in February 2022. Further information relating to the dates/timelines, registration and way forward will be shared in the near future. We will communicate separately with our WFTGA Members and appointed Delegates on the way forward regarding WFTGA Association business.
Enquiries relating to the expression of interest in hosting the 20th WFTGA Convention in 2024 may be directed to conventions@wftga.org
We have conducted a similar process relating to our WFTGA International Training Centres and can confirm that no in-person training will be conducted during 2020 at our centres.
We understand that the decision to postpone our Convention will cause disappointment and inconveniences, however, the situation that everyone across the globe finds themselves in is unprecedented. We look forward to the day when we can meet in person again.
Further queries regarding this announcement may be directed to president@wfga.org
Yours in Tourist Guiding,
Mrs Alushca Ritchie
WFTGA President
On behalf of the WFTGA Executive Board and the 19th Convention Hosts, the
Serbian National Tourist Guide Association
