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) co-hosted the national event with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The two- day event took place in KwaZulu-Natal from the 20-21 February 2014.

The proposed theme for the conference was “Keeping up with changing trends”. The event provided a platform to:

• 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 International Tourist Guides’ Day Celebrations 2014 Presentations:

• University of Pretoria – Report on the harmonisation of training standards for tourist guides in the South African Development Community (SADC) region - Prof Karen Harris
• Cross Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) - How cross border tourism and other road transport are regulated  - Major General  Kaine Monyepao
• South African Police Services (SAPS) - Dealing with incidents of safety and security on a tour- Brigadier Van Staden
• South African National Parks (San Parks) – How to communicate information on Rhino poaching - Mr Glenn Phillips
• Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO) - Changes in educational landscape - Mr Thabo Matjabe
• Brand SA-Emerging market trends (BRICS) and opportunities for tourist guides - Mr Miller Matola
• Department of Science and Technology (DST)-Square Kilometre Array project- Mr Takalani Nemaugani
• KZN Provincial Tourist Guides Association- International Tourist Guides’ Day- Mr Ken Gillings
• Tourism KZN (TKZN) - Emerging market trends and opportunities for tourist guides- Ms Phindile Ngcobo.