To provide a good service as a tour guide you need to be up to date with current issues. There are several tourism associations in Britain that assist individuals working in the tourism industry. The following are details of two of Britain's main tourism associations. Professional Tourist guide

The Association of Professional Tourist Guides

The Association of Professional Tourist Guides (or APTG) acts as a voice for the tourism industry in Britain. The APTG regularly communicate with tourist authorities, members of parliament and tour operators to collate and share information.

APTG is a fairly new organisation founded in 2002. APTG is part of the Amicus group, one of Britain's largest trade unions, representing the views of thousands of people. The APTG campaigns to voice the views of the industry on issues concerning health and safety and preservation issues like maintaining the standards of the blue badge.

The APTG strive to maintain high standards throughout the tourism industry and guiding profession. This is achieved by holding regular meetings for members to discuss and vote on current issues. The APTG also publishes a magazine for its members which provides details and dates of key events in the tourism calendar.

The APTG is also responsible for its own training and continual development program to assist its members in furthering their skills and offers further services to its members.

The Institute of Tourist Guiding

The Institute of Tourist Guiding was established in 2002 as a body to regulate the long standing Blue Badge qualification and the tour guiding industry as a whole.

The institute was formed with input and feedback from key figures involved in The English Tourism Council and The Tourist Guiding Foundation. Contributions were also made by The Department of Culture, Media and Sport and The Department of Trade and Industry. This helps to provide a global view of tourism issues that is reflected back in the institutes work.

The Institute serves the Tourism Industry by upholding the standards of tourism qualifications. The Institute maintains the relevance of courses and works to see them recognised by authoritative tourism bodies in Britain. There commitment covers all levels of qualifications extending to the accolade of the blue badge.

Another aim of the Institute is to clarify the work of professionals in the tourism industry to the general public. This is achieved by relaying information about qualifications and career prospects and working towards a code of conduct for institute members.

The Institute also actively encourages tourist guides to become members to further diversify the institute's membership and to amass more information. The Institute supports its members by offering exclusive services to support and offer assistance.