Who are we?

 WHO ARE WE?

Helsinki Guides is an association of authorised guides established in 1947. The aim of our association is to provide information on the guides and their services, look after and promote the members' interests, the upkeep and further development of the members' professional skills and knowledge and act as a living community for our members. 

There are more than 300 members in our association and together we do around 17,000 guided tours in 25 languages annually. We are a member of SMAL (Association of Finnish Travel Industry, AFTA) and The European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG).

 

All members of Helsinki Guides Association are authorised guides which means that every member has officially been qualified as a guide by a professional exam board.

A professional guide is able to cater to various customers including the very discerning. When in the company of a professional guide the visitor can relax and enjoy the subject of the tour or the destination being visited.

Being fluent in the language spoken is key for a professional guide. The guide will have knowledge of the group’s background and culture. The guide will acquire his knowledge of history and local details independently. The guide follows the current affairs and is well aware of what is going on in the world in general. A professional guide will always make sure that his knowledge is based on facts.

 It is part of a professional guide’s routine chores that he makes sure the group is safe and any possible risks are minimised. The guide will keep the group informed regarding the safety aspects and will always assist in any troublesome situations.

Please contact Helsinki Guides whether you are planning a leisure group visit or a more official tour - you are in the hands of professionals.

WE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Helsinki Guides
work in accordance with sustainable principles. At the end of 2022 our association was granted the Green Activities certificate and in August 2023 the Sustainable Travel Finland label. We carry out sustainable walking tours in the centre of Helsinki.
 
In the work of guides
principles of sustainability come true. The studies include sustainability, security and first aid. Tours often are walking tours and here in Helsinki our guides tell their customers of a city targeting to the most sustainable travel destination in the world and positioning now 4th. Helsinki Guides organizes courses and visits to sustainable themes.
 
Under Find your guide
above in the blue field you can find Helsinki guides with special expertise in sustainability: the green labels Green Activities or Travelife show their training:
 
Green Activities
The Guide is a sustainability Guide, has undergone a peer review, has studied
- the Green Activities sustainability programme
- our walking tours underlining sustainability and their security documents 
The Guide has passed
- the SYKLI Environmental College produced sustainability course
- first aid course, which has to be done every three years
 
Travelife
The Guide has passed the international, three-step Travelife net course specially for tour guides in English. The course was promoted by the Association of Finnish Travel Industry SMAL.
 
Classic Helsinki
Book for your group the Classic Helsinki walking tour and take a sustainable and accessible look at the heart of our capital. Starting point Senate Square, Monument of Alexander II, ending point Main Railway Station.
Duration: 2 hours.
 
 
In English, German, French, Spanish, Swedish and Finnish
 
We recommend to use public Helsinki transport. Routes, tickets and fares at https://www.hsl.fi/en.
 
Find more information about

 

             

Page 2 of 2