On December 3, 2024, Maricar Donato, the WFTGA Global Brand Ambassador, had the honor of visiting the Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL), a Full Member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA).
Upon arrival, Ms. Donato was received warmly with a lively and traditional festive ceremony, organized by President, Directors, and Patrons of SLINTGL The event beautifully showcased Sri Lanka’s hospitality, setting a positive tone for the day’s interactions.
The program also featured a live-streamed discussion with WFTGA President Sebastian Frankenberger, who offered his greetings and shared valuable insights with National Guide Mr. Wijeytunge (English) and Patron Mr. Ravi Munasinghe who conversed in German.
Based in Austria and established in 1987, the WFTGA is considered the ‘Home of Tourist Guide Associations’’. WFTGA encourages and supports the use of only area-specific tourist guides to member regions which keeps the local tourist guides working and ensures that visitors have accurate and professional services from our members’ regions.
A Tourist Guides is the first person of contact and at times the only representation of the local population a visitor will meet. The WGTGAs main purpose is to promote, market and ensure that Tourist Guides are duly recognized as Ambassadors of a region.
Ms. Donato’s visit marked a meaningful exchange of culture and a step forward in fostering future professional collaboration.
