Tour Guides and Tour Operators

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1 Study on Regulatory Regimes in Selected Professional Services in EU Member States Tour Guides and Tour Operators Conducted on Behalf of Linpico Sarl for the CRNM By Noel Watson John J. Downes June 8-9, 2009

2 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in Estonia. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not protected in Estonian Law but their activities are regulated. The professional association is the Estonian Association of Tourist Guides. Membership is not compulsory. It has a Code of Ethics.

3 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in France. The titles and designations of tourist guide are regulated by the Tourism Code. It is a subdivision of travel agency services. Tourist guides must have a licence and will be issued with a regional or national badge. The professional association is the Federation Nationale des Guides Interpretes. Membership is not compulsory. It has a Code of Ethics. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and Communications are the ministries that regulate their activities.

4 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in Germany. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not protected in German Law. The professional association is the The professional association is the Association of Tourist Guides of Germany. Membership is not compulsory. It has a Code of Ethics. It has regional chambers and provides a training programme.

5 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in Italy. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not directly protected in Italian Law but their activities are regulated under the Law on Tourism. Tourist guides must obtain authorisation from the regional authority. They must demonstrate competence in the arts, archaeology and languages. The rules were liberalised in The quota system was removed and graduates of arts degrees are eligible for membership provided that they pass an aptitude test.

6 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in Malta. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not directly protected in Maltese Law but their activities are regulated under the Law on Tourism. Tourist guides must obtain a warrant from the Mata Tourism Authority. They must have passed the Tourist Guiding Diploma, which includes a 14 week language course abroad.

7 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in the Netherlands. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not protected in Dutch Law. The professional association is the Dutch National Tourist Guides Association. Membership is not compulsory. It has a Code of Ethics.

8 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in Spain. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not protected in Spanish Law but their activities are regulated. Some regional authorities require tourist guides to pass an examination. And to register with them.

9 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tourist Guide Services in the UK. The titles and designations of tourist guide are not protected in UK Law. The professional association in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is the Institute of Tourist Guiding. Membership is not compulsory. It accredits training courses and has 4 levels of tourist guide: the highest being blue badge guides. It has a Code of Ethics. The Scottish Tourist Guides Association has similar provisions.

10 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in Estonia. The titles and designations of tour operator are not protected in Estonian Law but their activities are regulated. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in Estonian Law. There is an insolvency protection scheme operated by the Consumer Protection Board under the direction of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication.

11 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in France. Tour operators must be licensed and their activities are regulated by the Tourism Code. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in French Law. There is an insolvency protection scheme. The profession is regulated by the Ministry of Tourism. There is no compulsory membership of a professional association. Tour operators must have professional indemnity insurance.

12 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in Germany. The titles and designations of tour operator are not protected in German Law but their activities are regulated. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in German Law. Tour operators must register their business in the local trade register. There is an insolvency protection scheme.

13 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in Germany. The profession is regulated by the Federal Ministry of Economics and the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection There is no compulsory membership of a professional association. Tour operators must have professional indemnity insurance.

14 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in Italy. Tour operators must be registered at the local chamber of commerce. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in Italian Law. There is an insolvency protection scheme. There is no compulsory membership of a professional association. Tour operators must have professional indemnity insurance. There are specifications for the qualifications of staff but these are not regularly enforced.

15 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in Malta. Tour operators must be licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in Maltese Law. There is an insolvency protection scheme. The profession is regulated by the Ministry of Tourism. There is no compulsory membership of a professional association.

16 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in the Netherlands. The Netherlands substantially relies on selfregulation. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in Dutch Law. There is an insolvency protection scheme. There is the Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ANVR). Membership is not compulsory. It provides a dispute settlement system and consumer-friendly terms and conditions for its members.

17 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in Spain. These are regulated at the regional level. Spain substantially relies on self-regulation. Tour operators must form limited liability companies. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in Spanish Law. There is an insolvency protection scheme.

18 Regulatory Framework for Supplying Tour Operators Services in the UK. The UK mainly relies on self-regulation. The Package Travel Directive is implemented in UK Law. There are a number of insolvency protection schemes. There is no compulsory membership of a professional association, though most are members of ATOC and/ or ABTA.