1930 À 1980
1930 – Introduction of the first tourist guides to the City of Montréal.
1960- The City of Montréal adopts the By-Law regulating the tourist guide profession.
1967- Montréal tourist guides participate in the International World’s Fair: Expo 67. There was a record number of coach driver guides to conduct tours.
1975- November 19, 1975: formation of the Provincial Tourist Guides Association. (Association provinciale des guides touristiques inc.)
1976- APGT becomes an official non-profit organization. Montréal tourist guides participate in the XXI Summer Olympic Games in 1976.
1980 -1990
1981- November 25, 1981, the APGT was restructured and the orientation of the association changed to make it a more professional organisation;
The head office is located at Centre d’étude en tourisme on Saint-Denis Street;
1982- adoption of the General By-Laws.
1984- With the deregulation of the transportation industry, “step-on guides” were introduced. No longer, must groups coming from North America disembark passengers from their own coaches and transfer them on to local coaches. However, local tourist guides are still required by law.
1985– Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) becomes the only recognized educational institute to give the Tourist Guide course in Montréal. Formerly, courses were given at other educational institutes that offered less extensive training;
Adoption on January 30, 1985 of the Association’s Code of Ethics.
1990- Group Insurance introduced.
1991
Group Insurance compulsory for members;
For a short time, the City of Montréal applies the By-Law 6501 for a few months. Very quickly, many complaints from tour operators are made to the City and Tourisme Montréal;
First life member: Roger Boulanger.
1992
The APGT and its members were full participants in Montréal’s 350th anniversary;
For the first time in the tourist guide training, potential students had to have a third language in addition to English and French. The 28 new graduates represented many of Montréal’s cultural groups;
The Association’s logo was created by a professional design company. Labyrinthe Design also creates the APGT’s new corporate image and logo;
A distinctive item of clothing and uniform were created for APGT members consisting of a purple tie for gentlemen and a scarf or bow for ladies with the APGT’s logo on it.
1993
The introduction of membership badges with photographs worn by members with the City of Montréal permit. Triangles, placed on the windshield of buses, easily identify APGT licensed professionally-trained tour guides;
The name of the Association was modified, the word “Professional” replaced “Provincial” and the words Montréal Chapter were added (from Association provinciale des guides touristiques to the Association professionnelle des guides touristiques, chapitre de Montréal).
Press conference held to promote the importance of the profession and creation of the first press kits, to introduce the new image of the APGT;
Agreements signed with museums and attractions to allow free access for members holding APGT membership cards of the current year;
Hosted the American Bus Association Marketplace as one of the key and major sponsors of the event. Over 75 members of the APGT co-ordinated, offered tours, visits, meet and greet services, hospitality desk services among many other functions on a voluntary basis;
Annual surveillance began to verify legitimate guides, promote the profession, inform coach drivers and tour directors of information to assist them and ensure a pleasant stay. Surveillance is carried out voluntarily during the busy season by the Executive board members of the APGT.
This proves helpful in keeping records and to increase APGT’s marketing plans in coming years;
Decision by the City of Montréal’s civil servants to abolish the By-Law regulating tourist guides in Montréal (By-Law 6501);
Sadly, the APGT accepted the abolition of the By-Law. In order to help organise the next two years and face the competition, the City of Montréal grants the APGT $20,000 CAD.
1994
During a Special Assembly on 7 June 1994, the APGT members refuse the abolition of the By-Law and ask the Board to battle against the decision;
The battle and campaigning begins to maintain the By-Law. The APGT Executive board and its members begin researching and preparing to fight the removal of the By-Law;
Verification of unlicensed guides and surveillance intensifies during the season of 1994;
APGT creates its own promotional video, new press kits and intensifies its visibility with the tourism industry;
The APGT takes responsibility for choosing candidates for the tourist guide course, testing languages skills, as well as suitability of applicants;
In the fall, APGT Montréal prepares to bid for the 7th WFTGA Convention after becoming a member of the WFTGA in July;
In November the APGT Executive Board and its members campaign hard during the City of Montréal’s municipal elections to keep the By-Law regulating quality of tourist guides. On 9 December 1994, the new Mayor of Montréal, Pierre Bourque and his councillors, agree to put a halt on the removal of the By-Law regulating tourist guides; realising the importance of the profession;
1995
January, the President and Vice-President attend the 6th WFTGA convention in Singapore. Montréal represents Canada for the first time as a delegate. APGT Montréal presents is candidature to bid for the 7th convention against Tyrol, Austria, and Thessalonica, Greece. On the last day of the convention, it is announced that Montréal has won the bid to host the 7th WFTGA convention in January 1997, the only bidders to win on a first bid as a new member;
Montréal participates for the 1st time in organising International Tourist Guide Day, 21 February. For this occasion the official hotel for the convention is chosen the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. A press conference is held in which the City of Montréal’s councillors officially announce that the By-Law regulating guides will remain and to announce officially that the APGT is to host the 7th WFTGA convention. The newly elected municipal councillors are offered a city tour of Montréal with a typical Montréal lunch prepared the night before by volunteers of the APGT;
The official organising committee of the WFTGA convention begins work on securing sponsorship. The team consists of active members: Ruby Roy and Jean-François Perrier. As the work develops the key team players include Josée Bureau, Louise Lafrance, Marie José Pinsonnault and representing the APGT Executive board, André Bouthillier, the President;
December 1, 1995, the APGT moved into its first official office at 1001 Square Dorchester Street;
December 19, 1995, nomination of the second life member: Hubert Morency.
1996
The two APGT convention co-ordinators depart for Crete, Greece, to promote the upcoming Montréal convention in 1997 to the Federation of European tourist guides (FEG) convention. They also meet to discuss the contents of the convention with the WFTGA Executive Board;
In the winter, the Vice-President takes the first steps at forming a possible National Federation of tourist guides in Canada. Toronto, Québec, City and Ottawa are hosted at the APGT’s office for an initial meeting. All Canadian associations become members of the WFTGA and agree to host the participants during the pre and /or post tour of the Convention in their regions.
1997
Montréal hosts the 7th World Federation Tour Guides Association Convention with over 26 countries represented;
Mayor Pierre Bourque is made an honorary member of the APGT at City Hall;
Ruby Roy, member of the APGT, is elected to the Executive Board of the WFTGA. The first Canadian to be on the board;
International Tourist Guides Day, February 21: All of the APGT’s sponsors are offered a city tour of Montréal and cocktails at a new restaurant in Montréal with the members;
APGT Executive Board resumes surveillance to verify that licensed guides are conducting all tours;
In the fall, the APGT Convention Committee announces that the 7th WFTGA convention has made a surplus of $20,000 CAD. The Convention Organising Committee announces that the money is to be used only for Marketing and Promotion of its members.
1998
International Tourist Guide Day, February 21: the APGT offers tourist guides on all airport transfers and a happy hour for the members.
Due to the excellent organisation of the 7th WFTGA Convention by the members of the APGT, the APGT Montréal won a ULYSSES in 1998, a tourism prize of excellence.
1999
International Tourist Guide Day, February 21: The City of Montréal officially declares February 21 the International Tourist Guide Day and APGT members offer complimentary tours to members of the Montréal community, followed by a cocktail at various new restaurants throughout the city;
Participants from Montréal attend the 8th WFTGA Convention, held in Hong Kong, China.
2000
International Tourist Guide Day, February 21: APGT offers an orientation tour to all hotel sales teams, including lunch sponsored by the Montréal Casino organised by the Marketing Committee. Tours in English and French are also offered to the public;
APGT Marketing Committee and the APGT members again get involved with Museum Day in May;
Surveillance and promotion are resumed by the Marketing Committee to ensure that only professional licensed tourist guides are working.
APGT gets a new design of triangle and membership card.
2001
The new tourist guide course at the ITHQ is launched with classes being offered for the first time in English, with a preference for those who are trilingual;
The APGT celebrates its 25th Anniversary;
Participants from Montréal attend the 9th WFTGA Convention, held in Nicosia, Cyprus ;
International Tourist Guide Day, February 21: The Marketing Committee organised a visit for the police officers and cadets who work on the front line. It is a huge success and APGT has been asked to offer this to all new Montréal police officers. Tours for the general public are also offered.
2002
International Tourist Guide Day, February 21: the Marketing Committee launches the APGT Website and new distinctive clothes are launched and given to all members.
2003
First workshop on freelance worker status and liability insurance for tour guides;
Participants from Montréal attend the 10th WFTGA Convention, held in Dunblane, Scotland.
2005
Participants from Montréal attend the 11th WFTGA Convention, held in Melbourne, Australia.
2007
Participants from Montréal attend the 12th WFTGA Convention, held in held in Cairo, Egypt.
2008
First workshop on freelance worker status and liability insurance for tourist guides.
2009
APGT launches a refreshed, updated website, along with online newsletters;
Participants from Montréal attend the 13th WFTGA Convention, held in Bali, Indonesia.
2010
Complete redesign of the APGT’s website.
2020
New logo.
Complete redesign of the website, creating a blog, opening an Instagram account.
Second year of micro visits ( 8) with the aspirants – guides the ITHQ .
