DTCM celebrates International Tour Guide Day

The department honoured local tour guides and tour operators in addition to museums in the UAE and Dubai Municipality and DTCM staff members who work with the tour guides and at heritage sites in the emirate.

Mariam Al Maeeni, DTCM Director of Human Resources, addressed the ceremony and highlighted the important role played by tour guides in promoting the destination among the tourists from different parts of the world.

She said, "The department accords high importance in training and refreshing the knowledge of tour guides in order to share authentic and credible information about the emirate's various landmarks and attractions with the visitors. The department, conducts four refresher courses annually for the tour guides, enabling them to update their professional knowledge and the developments in the emirate."

Mr. Abdullah bin Jassim Al Mutairi, Heritage Sites consultant and Acting Director of Heritage Sites at the DTCM said, "The appreciation of the invaluable work done by the tour guides would go a long way in building better human resources and imparting knowledge about the emirate's rich history and culture." He also praised the cooperation between the tour operators and tour guides and the DTCM.

Among the organizations which were honoured on the occasion were Al Ain National Museum, Sharjah Museum, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Art, Museums and Antiqities Department of Ras Al Khaimah, Department of Heritage and Antiquities of Fujaiah, Department of Heritage of Umm Al Quwain, Ajman Museum, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Museum. Also honoured were tour guides working for tourism companies and DTCM staff members working with the tour guides and tour operators.

An initiative of World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA), the International Tourist Guide Day is held on 21st February each year. It was held for the first time in 1990.