The Ministry of Economy launches a unified license for tourist guidance for citizens

The Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with the tourism development authorities and departments in all the emirates of the country, launched the initiative "Unified Tourist Guidance License" for citizens, which aims to develop the tourism guide profession, support citizens working in it, enhance their role in representing their country and introduce the natural, heritage, cultural and historical components of their country, which was highlighted by the campaign “The most beautiful winter in the world,” this came within the framework of the outcomes of the first meeting of the Emirates Tourism Council, coinciding with the Arab Tourism Day.

The launch of the unified license comes in line with the vision of the wise leadership and the great interest it attaches to the development of the tourism sector in the country and upgrading its services in accordance with international best practices, to be one of the engines of economic development over the next 50 years.

February 25 was chosen to coincide with the celebration of the Arab Tourism Day, which coincides with the birth anniversary of the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta, provided that registration for the unified license will begin at the beginning of next March.

In this context, the Ministry of Economy is working on designing an electronic platform through which those interested can register, view the training content, book the date for the knowledge test, and obtain the unified license electronically.

The Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, said that the launch of the unified license comes in line with the vision and directives of our wise leadership to support national tourism projects and enable young people to take advantage of the opportunities available in this sector in the various emirates of the country, with the aim of strengthening efforts Promotional tourism in the UAE, increasing its effectiveness, and introducing tourists from different countries of the world to the pioneering tourism elements that are unique to the country and the diversity of tourism products and services in it.

He added: "The initiative is based on a proactive approach to accelerate the recovery of the country's tourism sector, upgrade its services and enhance its readiness for the post-Covid-19 pandemic. It aims to prepare qualified national cadres and energies in the tourism sector and to present Emirati tourism in the most beautiful way and to introduce the rich and varied tourist destinations and destinations owned by the state. The UAE uses new and innovative methods, ”His Excellency indicated that this initiative enhances the experience of tourists in the country and contributes to better promoting its heritage and its archaeological and historical destinations.

Al Falasi explained that the launch of the unified license is one of the outcomes of the first meeting of the Emirates Tourism Council, and the initiative aims to enhance the growth opportunities of the sector by attracting tourists from various international markets in line with the national goals and the determinants of the UAE Centennial 2071, indicating that the initiative mainly focuses on supporting the localization Profession in the country, increasing the number of citizens working in the field of tourist guidance, enhancing the visitor's experience through unique experiences provided by the national tourist guide to visitors, and shedding more light on the elements of national tourism, as the UAE has more than 600 tourist sites, and the number of tourist guide licenses is about 4,450. A license, and the citizens 'share of licenses reaches nearly 10%, and the unified license will increase the citizens' demand for this profession.

The duration of the unified license is two years and ends with the expiration of the local license. The unified license for tourist guidance also enables citizens to work in the profession in all emirates of the country without being restricted to obtaining a single license from each emirate, and it is not required to be full-time, as it can be practiced in parallel with another job.

He also explained that the coincidence of the launch of the license with the Arab Tourism Day reflects the UAE’s keenness to integrate Arab efforts in developing the Arab tourism sector and accelerate its recovery, and to participate in supporting Arab initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing tourism’s contribution to the recovery process and future economic growth.

For his part, Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Jumah Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Guides Association, appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Economy to launch a unified tourist guide license for the country because of its impact in promoting the profession of tourist guidance and supporting and encouraging Emirati youth interested in tourism guidance.

He added, "This license will be the first step and the cornerstone for resettling the tourism guidance sector, supporting human cadres and creating new job opportunities for citizens in the tourism field."

For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Association, Jassim Muhammad Al-Bastaki, stated that this initiative represents the fruit of a number of meetings between the concerned parties, foremost of which is the Ministry of Economy, departments and local tourism authorities and the Emirates Association of Tourist Guides, adding: “We believe that the best representative of tourism guidance in the country is the guide. "This license is an important plan to support and support the tourist guide sector and promote the tourism guiding profession in the country, which strengthens the UAE's position as a preferred destination for travelers from all over the world."

Iman Abdul Latif Bin Thabit, one of the national tourist guides, said: “Out of our belief in the importance of tour guides, we have always looked to serve the UAE and tourists throughout the country, and this is an opportunity for us as Emirati tour guides to expand our knowledge and experience through this license. We thank the Ministry of Economy and the Emirates Association of Tourist Guides for their efforts in this regard, and we will work to translate the objectives of this license into a tangible positive impact on the ground, which will be reflected in more growth and competitiveness for the national tourism sector.

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