This April, FGASA proudly took part in the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa in Cape Town for the very first time. As Africa’s leading B2B exhibition for inbound and outbound African travel and tourism markets, WTM Africa brings together more than 6,000 travel, tourism, and hospitality professionals from across the globe. For FGASA, this was an important opportunity to showcase our role in setting the professional and industry preferred standards for field guides and trackers in South Africa’s safari and ecotourism industries.
We shared a stand with our colleagues from the National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates (NFTGA) and the South African Adventure Industry Association (SAAIA). Together, our three organisations represent the full spectrum of guided tourism experiences in South Africa—from urban and cultural tourism, to adventure-based experiences, and of course, to nature-based guiding in game reserves and wilderness areas. As professional bodies, we are committed to maintaining high standards of ethics, safety, and professionalism within our respective sectors.
For FGASA, WTM Africa provided a valuable platform to engage with key stakeholders in the broader tourism and travel industry, both within Africa and internationally. As the preferred standard for field guiding in Southern Africa, we know the role a professional safari guide plays in shaping a guest’s experience—often acting as the face of the lodge or reserve. It’s not just about identifying animals; it’s about storytelling, safety, conservation messaging, and creating meaningful connections between people and nature.
FGASA’s presence at WTM Africa allowed us to raise awareness of the vital contribution field guides make to the tourism value chain. We were able to network with lodge owners, tour operators, DMCs, and international buyers—many of whom rely on high-quality guiding to deliver exceptional experiences to their clients. These interactions reaffirmed the importance of professionalising guiding careers, and how FGASA’s structured pathways for guiding career development, professional certification and industry recognition supports guides and advances in the industry as a whole.
We also had the opportunity to showcase our role as the Professional Body for Field Guides and Trackers and how we work closely with training providers, assessors, moderators and industry stakeholders to ensure consistent, credible standards across the region.
WTM Africa 2025 was an important milestone for FGASA and one that signals our continued commitment to collaboration and visibility within the tourism sector. With responsible and sustainable travel more important than ever, the demand for professional, knowledgeable, and ethical guides is only growing. FGASA is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution.
Next up, we’ll be attending the South African Travel Indaba in Durban this May, where we’ll once again be representing field guides and trackers on the national stage—continuing our mission to elevate guiding as a profession and promote the standards of excellence we are known for.