Northern Cape celebrated international tourist guide day in Kimberley on the 4 march 2011 and guides from all over the vast province attended these workshops to celebrate. Fanie Terblanche and Johan van Biljon were invited to join the festivities and and deliver a presentation on the Federation of South African Tourist Guide Associations (FSATGA) and help with the launching of guide associations in Northern Cape . A enjoyable day was enjoyed by all . The official report back will be published later.

International Tourist Guides Day, in South Africa, was held on the 21st February 2011. The venue was the well known landmark and tourist site, the Voortrekker Monument.

The Voortrekker Monument was built to commemorate the struggle the Dutch speaking farmers had against prejudges of the British Colonial government in the Cape. The farmers had to battle, not only against the government, but had to fight for survival against marauding tribes and some of the most difficult farming conditions experienced.
The Great Trek, as it was called, started in 1836. The farmers packed all their belongings on to ox wagons and with all their live stock, started to move northwards. With no roads and the ever presence of marauders and wild animals, these people were driven by the urge for independence and guided by the Holy Bible.
The Voortrekker Monument is on the southern side of Pretoria and overlooks the city centre and surrounding areas of Pretoria.

23 February 2011
Dear Fanie

It is with great pleasure that the WFTGA Executive Board appoint you an Area Representative for the period 2011-2013, following your application for this voluntary position at our recent Convention in Tallinn, Estonia.

We would like you to oversee and forge links with associations and professional tourist guides in the following countries:

SOUTHERN AFRICA Fanie Terblanche
Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia

PRESS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL TOURIST GUIDE DAY 21st February 2011

WFTGA: 1985-2011: 26 Years Guiding World Heritage and Culture
We are the Professionals

On International Tourist Guide Day, 21st February 2011, tourist guides in more than 60 countries will be offering free tours for charities, schools, colleges, elderly people, industry partners and tourism bodies to showcase their work and help their local communities.

The Bidding and voting was completed in the final session of the conference here in Estonia
The voting results were

Macau China 12 votes
USA 10 Votes
South Africa 7 Votes
Russia 4 Votes

South Africa congratulates Macau on a job welldone and will be attending the conference in 2013

After a successful meeting with Dr Joe Raputsoe we have a received an updated report on what is happening in the National department of Tourism
Please click here to read official report

The Awards aim to:

* enhance the visitor's experience, fundamental to the growth of tourism;
* promote the best-of-the-best as examples to the industry and in doing so, encourage industry to focus on service excellence;
* recognise organisations and individuals in South Africa who raise the level and standards of customer service those that enhance visitors' experiences;
* inspire longer stays and repeat visits;

It is most unfortunate to have heard about the tragic killing of a tourist in Guguletu Cape Town. The Federation would like to offer our deepest condolences and regrets to the husband and the family..

According to the vice chairman of the Federation, Philip Coetzee, the driver of the vehicle was a taxi driver and not a registered tourist guide.

Should the services of a registered tourist guide have been employed, the tourist guide would have had sufficient knowledge about the area and circumstances NOT to take tourist into a well known hot spot.

This Circular is for all members of member associations of WFTGA –

14th WFTGA Convention : Tallinn Estonia: Culture: A Unifying Guide
Registration
• Delegates Meeting 29th – 30th January 2011 (Arrivals 28th January)
• Main Convention 30th January – 4th February: http://wftga2011.konverents.eu
Delegates’ Papers and Information are attached to this Circular and must be forwarded to your Delegate immediately.