European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations
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10 Things To Know About A.N.G.T. (Italy)

1.

A.N.G.T. (Associazione Nazionale Guide Turistiche) was established in December 1985. The Association is based in Rome c/o “Studio De Strobel – Forti & Co.” – Via Montello, 20 – 00198-ROME (Italy) – TAX ID Code 96071080582 – E-mail: angtmail@libero.itangt@pec.it. ANGT is funding member of both F.E.G. and WFTGA.

2.

The National Association of Tourist Guides (A.N.G.T.) welcomes as Members all those who possess the professional qualification of Tourist Guide issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority. It is possible to join A.N.G.T. either individually or through local associations. The association is non-profit and pursues the following aims:

  • study and follow the approval and application of Italian and European laws that have repercussions on the profession of Tourist Guide in Italy;
  • study and solution of problems common to the entire category in collaboration with local organizations;
  • protection of the rights of Members and assistance in their disputes and controversies relating to the profession of Tourist Guide;
  • safeguarding the professional ethics of the Members;
  • promotion of cultural activities through conventions, conferences, webinars, etc... for the updating and improvement of the professionalism of the category.
3.

Since the Italian law nr. 97/2013 established that "the Tourist Guides qualification is valid throughout the whole national territory", subsequently the law of December 13th, 2023, establishes that “the exercise of the profession of Tourist Guide is subject to passing the qualification exam or to the recognition of the professional qualification obtained abroad and the consequent registration in the national list”.

4.

Those registered in the national list are allowed to practice the profession of Tourist Guide throughout the national territory and are issued by the Ministry of Tourism a personal recognition card (badge), with a photograph, registration number and relative unique identification code, to be shown during the performance of the profession. Tourist guides are required to ensure, at least every three years, the continuous and constant updating of their skills and knowledge, to ensure the quality of their performance and to contribute to the best exercise of the profession in the interest of tourists, through theoretical and practical courses authorized by the Ministry of Tourism.

5.

A.N.G.T. has approximately 1000 Members (2023) most of them bearing a university degree although the new law only requires a high school diploma.

6.

A.N.G.T. provided to its Members several cultural seminars in the past years during the Conventions and Meetings held in various cities:

  • 1st Nat. Convention Assisi-1986
  • 2nd Genoa-1987
  • 3rd Cagliari-1988
  • 4th Florence-1990
  • 5th Siracusa-1991
  • 6th Venice-1992
  • 7th Sorrento-1993
  • 8th Bologna-1995
  • 9th Arezzo-1998
  • 10th Udine-1998
  • 11th Matera-1999
  • 12th Piacenza-2000
  • 13th Rimini-2001

And, although occasionally in held in a different venue (Macerata-2009, Arezzo-2011), twice a year ANGT members meet in Rome for AGM (February) and EGM (November).

Among the many seminars held, some had a European relevance. For instance:

  • “Towards the Jubilee. The Via Francigena... aspects of Tourist Guides” - Bologna - Nov. 1995
  • “The Touristic Position of the Cultural Routes... Tourist Guide Profession” - Rome - Dec. 1996
  • “Legal framework of the Tourist Guide profession... in the European legislation” - Rome - Dec. 1996
  • “Introduction to the problems of restoration and conservation...” - Arezzo - March 1998
  • “Protection, rights, duties and responsibilities... national and international legislation” - Udine - Nov. 1998
  • • “UNESCO World Heritage Sites” - Matera - Nov. 1999
  • “Guiding in Museums” - Piacenza - Nov. 2000
7.

Quality & qualification is the keyword (Q&Q). The presence of a Tourist Guide is an added value for all kinds of visit. In addition to the accuracy of the information, the Tourist Guide can suggest interesting visits to the best (less crowded) destinations and optimal periods to his/her customers and provide the best logistics and timing in building the itinerary.

8.

Italy is a blessed country from the point of view of historical, artistic and landscape beauties. Confirmation comes from the high number of UNESCO sites present in the whole country (60 in 2024). The so called “Art Cities” (i.e.: Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Venice), since the end of the XVIII century, represented the Grand Tour classic itinerary. In addition to these main locations, there are many others that complete the mosaic of touristic-cultural attractions for visitors from all over the world. The cultural tourism trend of recent years is, moreover, to focus on villages and, in this case, then thousands of them should be indicated.

9.

The most important advice to give to a visitor is certainly to always turn to an expert T.O. who employs regularly qualified Tourist Guides.

10.

From mid-December 2024 there will be an up-to-date National List of registered Tourist Guides published by the Ministry of Tourism - https://www.ministeroturismo.gov.it

IMPORTANT NOTE - Due to the large quantity of Cultural Heritage that can be visited in Italy and the temporal extension of historical and artistic periods, in order to ensure an adequate professional qualification, ANGT strongly believes that it is essential for Tourist Guides to be specialized for an area-specific territory.