Economic Sector Support: Tourist Guide Registration

What is a Tourist Guide?

A tourist guide is someone who points out the way and leads others on a trip or tour.  Generally, a tourist guide will work at a specific location, city or province. Tourist guides act as ambassadors of the country, they are the first to meet and welcome tourists and they are often the last ones to bid farewell to them when they leave the country. All tourist guides are required to be registered. Tourist guides must meet certain criteria before receiving certification.  As a registered tour guide, you'll need to have the right qualifications and training, abide by a code of conduct, and be trained in first aid. 

Our visitors's safety is very important to us and travelling with a registered tourist guide will not only ensure their well-being but also give them the best experience possible.

Who are we?

The Western Cape Tourist Guide Registration Office is responsible for registering tourist guides within the Western Cape. 

What we do?

The Tourist Guide Registration Office provides tourist guiding registration as well as tourist guide development services.  The office keeps a register of tourist guides and registration is for a three-year period. We also regularly conduct inspections to counter illegal guiding. The office aims to develop, improve and maintain standards in the sector and strives to promote the tourist guiding sector in the Province.

How to register as a Tourist Guide in the Western Cape

1. Training

The first step is to complete an accredited tourist guide training course.

You can get more information and a full list of trainers and assessors through the Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). You may also contact the tourist guide registration office for more information.

2. Registration

Once training is complete, you must register with the Tourist Guide Registration Office.

Registration must be done online. First, you’ll create a profile, then log into the tourist guide online registration system and follow the instructions.

The online registration system also gives you the opportunity to:

• Update your details,
• Download resources, and
• To chat with an agent.  

3. Marketing

Once you have been trained, assessed and registered, you will need to market yourself as a registered tourist guide by contacting tour operators for work.

4. Related Documents

• Tourist Guide Code of Conduct and Ethics
• Tourism  Act, Act 3 of 2014
• Regulations pertaining to tourist guides, 1994
• Regulations in respect of tourist guides, 2001
• Tourist Guide Application FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Contact Us

For more informaton on the Tourist Guide Registration office, please contact us on 0860 142 142.