Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is launching its 16-week Tour Guide Licence Programme with 24 trainees on Sunday at Stenden University Qatar. An induction day for the trainees was held last Sunday at Doha Exhibition Centre. The programme aims at providing comprehensive training to aspiring tour guides in history of Qatar, tour-guide essentials, knowledge of tourist attractions in Qatar, general tourism information, and developing their’ competencies. The programme is the product of a memorandum of understanding signed between QTA and Stenden University Qatar last March. “Tour guides are a key touch point on the frontline of a tourist’s first interaction in Qatar. “They act as ambassadors of a destination, therefore they need to be well-equipped with training and tools that allow them to represent Qatar well,” said QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi. “While Qatar is making investments to grow the tourism sector through infrastructure improvement to woo more tourists, we are developing human capital as a top priority. “This is part of QTA’s mission as part of the development of a knowledge-based economy in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.” The course is open to Qataris and Qatar-born high school graduates familiar with the country’s history and culture and able to speak English and Arabic. How guides perform can determine whether visitors in their charge feel welcome, want to stay longer or decide to come back to Qatar. Thus, they contribute to the way a tourist destination is perceived. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/262520/qta-to-launch-tour-guide-licence-course

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