Trained Emirati guides enhance tourist experience in Abu Dhabi

From her childhood, Emirati Maitha Essa had been interested in learning and spreading the culture and heritage of her country. Aged 25, she is now a graduate in International Affairs and one of the graduates from the Emirati Tourist Guide Training and Licensing programme.
"I love speaking to foreigners and have always liked exchanging information about my country with people of other nationalities since my early school days," she told Khaleej Times.
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi launched the training programme in November last year to offer practical and theoretical training to more than 200 UAE nationals. It provides training to the youths to become licensed tour guides and offers them tools to operate to an international standard.
"When I heard about this training programme, I rushed to register so I could learn more skills and become a professional tour guide," said Maitha Essa.
She said the Emirati experience programme gives students chance to come up with ideas and design their own Emirati experience different from the usual attractions which they can show to tourists.
"I initiated an idea about showing tourists and visitors how an Emirati family lives in their home, what they eat, the clothes they wear at home and how they spend their time in homes, etc," she said.
"I have implemented the programme at our own home, where I take the visitors and tourists to experience the Emirati culture first hand."
Essa said the visitors book and pay for this Emirati home experience tour service.
The programme, which is open to all English-speaking nationals aged 18 and above, provides opportunity for the Emirati community to use their passion for, and knowledge of the history and heritage of the UAE to provide visitors with unique and authentic experiences.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi said: "Hospitality lies at the heart of Emirati society; it is the backbone of our culture and is a value that is instilled in us from a young age. Each year, millions of tourists come to Abu Dhabi to learn about our history, traditions and heritage; there is no better way for visitors to experience this, as well as the uniqueness of Abu Dhabi, than by spending time with an Emirati and seeing the city through their eyes.
"These first-hand experiences delivered by tour guides trained to an international standard will result in positive impressions and an overall enhanced tourism and travel experience of Abu Dhabi."
The programme has been carefully designed to offer an extensive curriculum to shortlisted applicants, covering all aspects of attractions in Abu Dhabi, the culture and heritage of the UAE, first-aid, guiding principles and skills, group management and emergencies. Along with recurring periods of self-study and practical training, the trainees also undertake a written assessment and give a mock presentation and city tour in order to obtain their licence.
Shatha Al Hashmi, a tour guide who graduated from the programme in November last year, said her love for the country inspired her to become a tour guide.
"I have always been passionate about telling people, especially foreigners, about the history and culture of the UAE and this is why I opted to become a tour guide," she said.
"My country has a rich heritage and history in addition to an amazing culture. I feel good about passing on the information about the Emirati culture to tourists and visitors of Abu Dhabi."
Al Heshami, who is an electronic engineer at Adnoc, said the four-week training programme helped her learn guide skills which she can now use to take tourists around the emirate.
The successful completion of the training programme grants the graduates an Abu Dhabi tourist guide licence valid for two years. Graduates are also able to freelance with destination management companies and are eligible to charge for guiding services.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi