FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Why “Tourist” Guide? For many speakers of English, a “tour” guide is a book. For this reason, we have followed the lead of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations in using the word “tourist” to denote the individuals involved in guiding.

How can I find out more about NFTGA-USA membership? Please contact the NFTGA President, Bobbie Gattuso. She can answer any questions and send you a membership application. Bobbie is a member of the Tour Guides Association of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Her contact information appears below. Bobbie Gattuso, NFTGA-USA President Telephone: (504) 367-8162 E-mail: bobbiegatt@yahoo.com

What does it take to become a member of the NFTGA-USA? There are three categories of membership. To be a full voting Member of the NFTGA-USA, you must be an association of tour guides. Each member organization of the NFTGA-USA pays $2.00 per dues paying member. There is a dues minimum of $50 and a dues maximum of $500 per calendar year per organization. The number of members reported should include ALL categories of dues paying members to include active or inactive guides, full or part-time guides, affiliates, associations, corporate, friends or other categories, if they pay dues.  Membership categories that do not pay dues (such as honorary members) are exempt from the count. Affiliate Membership is open to tourism-related organizations and/or businesses that wish to maintain contact and be affiliated with the NFTGA-USA. Affiliate Membership is open to for-profit and non-profit organizations at a cost of $200 and $100 per calendar year, respectively. Any individual who supports the goals and standards of the NFTGA, who may or may not be a guide OR may or may not have access to a local NFTGA member association in his/her area, may join as a non-voting "Friend."  The yearly dues to join as an NFTGA Friend is $50. Applications to join the NFTGA-USA, as a Member, Affiliate Member or Friend may be downloaded by clicking below. Bobbie Gattuso can answer questions, provide additional information and/or send you an application form. Her contact information appears above or you may click on her name to send her an e-mail. Association Membership Application (PDF Form) Affiliate Membership Application (PDF Form) NFTGA Friend Application (PDF Form)

I am not a member of a local guide organization, but I really want to attend the next NFTGA conference. Is this possible? Yes! Traditionally, the host city conference organizing committee will publish a slightly higher non-member conference registration fee. Please contact the host (sponsoring) guide organization for more information.

Can the NFTGA help us start a local guide organization in our city/area? Yes! The NFTGA-USA has many volunteers located across the nation who would be willing to answer questions, send samples of their organization’s handbook or policy and procedure manual, association newsletters, bylaws, etc. to help you get started. Please contact Bobbie Gattuso for the names and contact information of individuals willing to help.

What are the long-term goals of the NFTGA-USA? Future projects of the NFTGA-USA include: Developing a handbook to assist American cities/areas that desire to form their own tourist guide association. Designing a national network to reach out to city, regional and state tourism boards in order to promote the benefits of using, employing and hiring professional guides. Bringing together people from many areas of the tourism industry to form a National Tourism Round Table to increase awareness of and seek solutions to common areas of concern. Providing the NFTGA-USA membership access to Health Insurance.