​International Tourist Guide Day is held on 21st February each year. Celebrations were held for the first time in 1990 by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) at which time only 15 countries around the world participated and jointly celebrated this special day. Over the years, awareness about this day has grown and to date, more than 70 countries celebrate this event worldwide.
 
In South Africa, this day is celebrated with activities and programmes ranging from presentations, motivational talks, excursions and workshops. The National Department of Tourism (NDT) will co-host the national event with the Gauteng Tourism Authority.  The two- day event take place at Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind from the 19-20 February 2015. The celebrations will take place on the 20 February 2015.  

• showcase tourist guiding in South Africa by making the industry and the general public aware of tourist guiding profession; and
• provide a platform for tourist guides, tourism stakeholders, government departments and tourism authorities involved in tourist guiding to engage and share information on important developments and challenges in the tourist guiding sector.
  

• The Role of World Heritage Sites in the Preservation of Culture and Natural Heritage.
• The Tourist Guides’ Role in Safeguarding/Protecting the Tangible and Intangible Culture Heritage in South Africa.
• Diaspora Tourism
• Communicating Sensitive Information to Visitors.
• Promoting Social Cohesion and Nation Building through Guiding
• and many more

The International Tourist Guides’ Day Celebrations 2015 Presentations:

• Culture as tool for Economic Growth, Professor Wally Mongane Serote
• Diaspora and Tourism in South Africa, Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile.
• The Tourist Guides Role in safeguarding-Protecting the Tangible and Intangible Culttural Heritagr in South Africa, Mr Khwezi Ka Mpumlwana, National Heritage Council
• Use of Indigenous langauge in Bridging Cultures, Mr Sibusiso Nkosi, Communications and Marketing Manager, PanSALB