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RAK launches training programme for guides

Ras Al Khaimah, November 21, 2012

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will be conducting a training programme for local Emirati and Arab residents of the emirate to help them become certified travel and tourism guides, said a senior official.

The programme, which will be held on November 25, is part of a TDA initiative to both educate and improve the awareness and knowledge of the emirate’s historical and tourism attractions.

'The Ras Al Khaimah First Official Tour Guides Training Programme' will provide the students over a 10-day course with a carefully designed syllabus covering various topics required to create successful tour guides, including general information on the emirate, organization and control of groups including planning, anticipating problems as well as dealing with emergencies; presentation skills, customer service tour guiding and first-aid.

The programme will cover all necessary aspects of the emirate and provide an in-depth insight into all districts, and local culture, giving a more professional and well serviced experience to Ras Al Khaimah’s visitors, said a senior official.
 
“The launch of this great initiative will play a strategic role in the authority’s advancement of employment and self-development opportunities for the Emirati and Arab residents of Ras Al Khaimah, as well as support the emirate’s hospitality and tourism sectors," said Victor Louis, the TDA chief operating officer.

"This training programme to licence tour guides for Ras Al Khaimah is a first for the emirate and will see successful candidates become certified travel and tourism guides for Ras Al Khaimah, resulting in the creation of professional opportunities and the development of local talent to sell and further promote the destination to visitors," he noted.

"The programme is open to local Emirati and Arab residents with joint Arabic and English proficiency, who are interested in enhancing their skills and tourism industry knowledge, being employees of tour operators and destination management companies, part-time exhibition and conference staff, and further personnel dealing with visitors," explained Louis.

The first intake of the training programme will be offered at no cost to a maximum of 20 candidates, to take part in the ten days of formal training, where they will be evaluated by course participation and teamwork, written examination, on the ground presentations as well as research presentation in class.

Successful completion of the course with a minimum score of 66 per cent will result in formal accreditation and the receipt of an official tour guide license from Ras Al Khaimah TDA, a completion certificate from Business and Technology Agency Council (BTEC) in the UK, and completion certificate from Ras Al Khaimah TDA attested by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

The holders of the course cerificates will be recognised by all Ras Al Khaimah tourism entities including hotels, tour operators and attractions as tour guide specialists, where Ras Al Khaimah TDA will work closely with the qualified graduates on numerous projects in the future, said Louis.

In addition to being organised and implemented by the Ras Al Khaimah TDA, the programme will also be supported by various government entities including the RAK Civil Defence and Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, as well as all Ras Al Khaimah hotels and resorts, tour operators and locally based attractions, he added.-TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Training | tourism | Ras Al Khaimah |

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