The Western Cape’s tourism sector celebrates International Tourist Guide day tomorrow, 21 February 2014.

To mark the occasion the Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism is co-hosting an event for the province’s tourist guides. The programme kicks off at Cape Town Station and includes a presentation on the World Design Capital 2014.

Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, said there were more than 3 000 registered tourist guides in the province. “Tourist guides are the ‘front of house’ team for tourism Western Cape. Through our tourist guides, visitors gain in-depth knowledge about our scenic and cultural attractions and have a richer experience during their stay in our destination.

A registered tourist guide can tell you in a heartbeat how many types of fynbos the Western Cape has, or how high Table Mountain is. I wonder how many locals could answer those questions? I would like to encourage international tourists and locals alike to spend a day with one of our tourist guides to learn more about our beautiful province,” said Minister Winde.

This sector also provides great economic opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs,” said Minister Winde. An initiative of the World Federation of Tourist Guides, the first International Tourist Guide Day was held in 1990.