International
Tourist Guide
Day
On February 21 each year
(since 1990) WFTGA has promoted and coordinated International Tourist Guide
Day worldwide to draw the attention of the public, government and the media
to the tour guiding profession and the role it plays. Each member
association around the globe is encouraged to develop a program that will
meet this goal. Member associations are encouraged, if possible, to
provide free tours to the public creating an awareness of what we do and our
professionalism. They are also encouraged to have February 21 officially
declared "International Tourist Guide Day" in their cities.
International Tourist Guide Day
Projects of CTGA of Toronto:
CTGA of Toronto became a
member of the World Federation in 1996. Since that time we have participated
regularly by having an annual International Tourist Guide Day project. Here
is a summary:
2006 - Free Tours of Downtown Toronto - In Toronto in 2006 we observed
International Tourist Guide Day on March 21 and not February 21 in order to
take advantage of the better weather. We offered our fellow residents free
tours of the city centre as our International Tourist
Guide Day Project. We also had exhibits explaining CTGA, WFTGA and the
guiding profession in the rotunda of Metro Hall, the city office building
where our tours commenced. The day gave citizens of our area a chance to
meet our members and experience their touring. Our location in a city office
building gave our civic officials a chance to meet us as well.
Please click here to learn more about this exciting
event and see more photos.
2005 - Introduction of Toronto's South Asian Community to CTGA - Our
members met with members of the south Asian business community and took a
guided tour of the Gerrard India Bazaar, the largest South Asian Bazaar in
North America, in east central Toronto. We were pleased to have the
Coordinator of the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA as our "tour guide". He
introduced us to a large number of the business people of the community as
we toured their neighborhood. We learned a great deal about the cultural and
religious traditions of southern Asia. We also familiarized ourselves with
the shops and restaurants of this vibrant area of Toronto offering
traditional south Asian apparel, jewelry, and foods. Naturally we stopped
for dinner and experienced the fine tastes of the cuisine. Meeting the
business community of this area, we were able to let them know about the
role of tour guides in the travel and hospitality industries and the
function of our association.
2004 - Introduction of Toronto's Spanish Community to CTGA - After
introductions the members dined and danced the evening away with members of
the community at a Spanish restaurant.
2003 - Unfortunately, we were unable to undertake a project this
year.
2002 - CTGA Web Site - Another way to bring information about
yourself and your organization to the public's attention is to have a web
site. The web site you are visiting was our International Tourist Guide Day
project for 2002.
2001 - CTGA Brochure - One of the best ways to acquaint people with
what you do is to have a brochure available to anyone making an inquiry.
This year we launched our new brochure while visiting Spadina, a well-known
heritage home in midtown Toronto.
2000 - The Great Canadian Quiz - The association provided a learning
and fun experience for downtown workers while meeting our members. We asked
them to participate in a quiz conducted by us in the lobby of Metro Hall, a
major municipal office building visited by thousands daily. The quiz was on
Canadian history and other facts. (Our members, of course, knew all the
answers.) Prizes were awarded to the members of the public getting the best
scores. (See photos below right.)
1999 - Reception for Tour Operators - To better acquaint local tour
operators with our association, its members, the services we provide and our
qualifications, CTGA of Toronto held an evening reception at the Hot House
Café. The reception was well received and the company representatives went
away knowing what we do and how to contact us.
1998 - Ice Storm Relief - In January 1998 regions of Canada east of
Toronto (eastern Ontario, Québec and the Maritime provinces) were stricken
by a major ice storm which lasted for several days and left nearly 2 million
Canadians without electric power or heat for a week or more. In lieu of
staging a regular International Tourist Guide Day event, CTGA of Toronto
made a substantial contribution to ice storm relief. Many of our members are
very familiar with the affected areas which are on our regular tour routes.
1997 - CTGA Appreciation Awards to the Minister of Tourism and Charter
Coach Operators - Gathering at the Provincial Legislature of the
Province of Ontario, we presented awards to the Minister and representatives
of four of the major coach operators in our area. We provided the Minister
and the company representatives with information on our association, WFTGA
and our profession.
1996 - CTGA Toronto Appreciation Awards - We presented certificates
of appreciation from our members to City of Toronto officials, members of
the media, management of local attractions and many others who had made
outstanding contributions to travel and tourism in our area. We had the
opportunity of meeting the recipients of our awards and providing them with
more information about our association and the tour guiding professing.
Citytv and the Toronto Sun provided media coverage of the event.
