The National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates South Africa (NFTGA), advocating for professional bodies to oversee nature and adventure guiding while pushing for a unified professional body, is calling for increased industry recognition.

Following extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, the NFTGA has confirmed its support for the South African Adventure Industry Association as the professional body for the adventure tourism sector – recognising the complexity of land, water and airborne activities. The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa has been recognised as the professional body for nature guides.

However, the NFTGA has emphasised the need for a combined professional body to represent nature and culture guides, citing the significant overlap in qualifications among guides.

“We have seen overwhelming support for a unified professional body that represents culture and nature guides,” said Francois Collin, Director of Media Liaison for the NFTGA. “Rather than further segmenting the industry, our aim is to build a stronger, widely recognised entity that benefits guides and the broader tourism sector.”

The NFTGA will present these developments at its upcoming AGM when members will have the opportunity to provide further input. The NFTGA is also reaching out to broader industry stakeholders with an invitation to contribute to this process.