A Legacy of Professionalism and Passion

The story of the Tourist Guide Association of Toronto (TGAT) begins long before the name itself. In 1990, ten Toronto tour guides gathered in the living room of Nancy Ross, united by a shared goal: to create an organization that would give tour guides in the city a voice, a community, and a professional identity.

Their focus was clear—professional development, networking, integrity, and ethics. They envisioned an association that would support continuing education, set standards for conduct, and advocate for guides as skilled professionals.

From that early meeting, the Canadian Tour Guide Association of Toronto (CTGA) was born. The founding members—Nancy Ross, Nina Folb, Pam Cook, Doreen Smith, Marilyn Perlman, Rena Graefner, Beryl Sayers, Pat Waker, Harriet Pearson, and Annetta Turner—were the pioneers who set the stage for what the association would become.

Nancy, Beryl, and Pat have since passed on, while others have retired or moved across the country. But their impact continues to shape the guiding profession in Toronto today.

Many of these founders first met at Seneca College in 1987, where they completed the school’s four-month, full-time Tour Guide and Tour Manager Program. The curriculum was rigorous, covering everything from Canadian government and geography to creative writing, oral communication, and traveller psychology. Their classroom extended beyond the walls of Seneca—field trips to places like Dofasco Steel in Hamilton, Niagara, and Kitchener-Waterloo offered real-world experience in understanding Ontario’s tourism landscape.

At that original meeting in Nancy’s home, they chose the name Canadian Tour Guide Association of Toronto, inspired by a similar group forming in Vancouver—the Canadian Tour Guide Association of British Columbia. The hope was that these city-based associations would one day come together under a national umbrella organization, each with their own regional identity but united in purpose.

To make it official, Nina Folb and another founding member went to the Government and Consumer Affairs Office on University Avenue to register the new association. Together, they drafted the first constitution, borrowing structure and language from established organizations such as The Association of Professional Tourist Guides of Montreal (APGT), as well as several American and national non-profit models.

Though the group’s early dream of a city guide license never materialized, the organization’s commitment to professionalism never wavered. Over time, the CTGA of Toronto evolved into what we now know as the Tourist Guide Association of Toronto (TGAT)—a name that reflects both its roots and its modern role in the city’s vibrant tourism industry.

Today, TGAT continues to uphold the values of its founders. We remain dedicated to education, collaboration, and excellence in guiding, building on more than three decades of passion and professionalism. The goal is the same as it was in that first living-room meeting: to set the standard for tour guiding in Toronto—a standard that every operator recognizes and every visitor appreciates.