The Tourist Guides Federation of India has now joined the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), an international body of tourist guides. Making its presence felt at the Indian association's annual convention, the world body was represented by its president Rosalind Newland.

According to her, the latest thing that has been attracting guides into the profession is the increasing demand for cruise tourism guides. Explaining the term 'cruise tourism guides' she said that these guides will specialise in areas where the cruise touches. According to her, being a cruise tourism guide is certainly not an easy task as clients have very high expectations. Also, since the visits will be shorter, the impression that has to be made and information to be given has to be presented in the most appropriate manner.

There are international standards that have to be met in this case as the clients would be well travelled. Many India guides have already approached the body for training on the same as India is certainly coming up as a new cruise destination in the Indian Ocean region, she explained. "The course conducted by WFTGA includes aspects like importance of the cruise industry, economic influence, expectation of cruise guests and influence of tourist guides on them," she concluded. The world body conducts training programmes for the guides in different parts of the world.