Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority Launches the Second Official Tour Guides Training Programme

Women make up one third of the class as Ras Al Khaimah TDA launches its second Tour Guide Training programme

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE - 03 July 2013

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) today welcomes a fresh intake of students on the emirate's Tour Guide Training programme as part of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah's vision to encourage local talent and development opportunities through tourism and to improve awareness of the emirate's historical and tourism attractions.

The eight day Tour Guide Training programme will run from 3 to 14 July and follows on from the success of the inaugural programme in November 2012 which saw 15 participants qualify as accredited Ras Al Khaimah tour guides.

One third of the 17 trainees for the July 2013 Tour Guide Training programme are female and 18 per cent are Emirati. The course open to residents of Ras Al Khaimah with joint Arabic and English proficiency looking enhance their skills and expertise for current or prospective employment in the tourism sector. The qualification is recognised by all Ras Al Khaimah tourism entities including hotels, tour operators and attractions.

The course, taught by professors from Skyline University College, follows a carefully designed syllabus covering general knowledge of the emirate; organization and control of groups; presentation skills; customer service and first-aid. Trainees are evaluated by course participation, teamwork, written examination, research and on the ground presentations. Successful completion of the course with a minimum score of 65% results in formal accreditation and the receipt of an official tour guide license and completion certificate from Ras Al Khaimah TDA.

Khalid Motik, Director of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented: "We are pleased to be welcoming the second intake of Tour Guide Trainees. The graduates from Ras Al Khaimah's First Official Tour Guides Training Programme have proved themselves to be highly professional and knowledgeable ambassadors for the emirate and we are committed to continuing to sustain high quality and in-depth tour guides through this programme. Our training programme is an important part of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority's remit to support the emirate's hospitality and tourism sectors and to enhance the employment opportunities for the Emirati and Arab residents of Ras Al Khaimah through tourism."

Ras Al Khaimah TDA offers graduates of the course follow up training and updating sessions to ensure all accredited tour guides are well prepared with the most up to date information and guidelines.

The Tour Guides Training programme is provided as part of the Training Solutions programme that Ras Al Khaimah TDA has established in June 2012 as a centre of excellence, providing exclusive training solutions for the tourism sector to ensure that Ras Al Khaimah tourism industry continues its premium development with world-class people involved at all levels.

The Tour Guides Training Programme students were welcomed by Khalid Motik, Director

of Ras Al Khaimah TDA, Mohamed Moosa Loojab, Administrative Licenses and Permits Manager at Ras Al Khaimah TDA together with a delegation from Skyline University College- University of Sharjah headed by Prof. Amitabh Upadhya, DEAN; Dr. Mohit Vij, Assistant Professor; Dr. Osama Ai Thawabeh, Associate Professor and Mr. Firas Al Tabbaa, Dy. Director - Marketing & Public Relations.

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About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (Ras Al Khaimah TDA) was established in May 2011 as a Government of Ras Al Khaimah entity to both develop and promote the emirate's tourism infrastructure and potential both domestically and abroad.

Ras Al Khaimah TDA is responsible for establishing the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as an affordable luxury destination for leisure and adventure. In order to achieve its goals, the Authority has a Government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate's hospitality industry. It conducts research and analysis of future tourism projects and current trends, create and implement the branding, marketing and promotion of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism products and services and develop, implement and support strategies designed to encourage tourism investment into the Emirate.

Clear strategic goals and targets have been set by Ras Al Khaimah TDA including increasing the total number of annual visitors to Ras Al Khaimah to 1.2 million by 2013 compared to 600,000 visitors in 2010, and increasing the emirate's total hotel and resort room inventory to 10,000 keys by 2016 compared to 3,000 rooms in 2012. These targets will be achieved through a myriad of activities including the representation of Ras Al Khaimah tourism industry at overseas travel shows, conferences and exhibitions together with education of travel professionals regarding Ras Al Khaimah's tourism products and unique attractions through workshops, road-shows, familiarization and training programmes; media and consumer campaigns and promotions; the coordination and implementation of joint initiatives with key travel industry players; the hosting of leading sporting, cultural and trade exhibitions and events; and the development of the emirate's tourism infrastructure and attractions through the implementation of strategies and initiatives specifically designed to generate and encourage direct tourism investment and investment opportunities into Ras Al Khaimah.

Located just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of entertainment and relaxation facilities including exclusive Hotels & Resorts, international cuisines and world-class spas, all at great value for money. With a wide range of adventure and sports activities covering desert camps, golf courses, watersports and micro light aviation, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah offers the ultimate outdoor experience.

Learn more about Ras Al Khaimah and its activities and visit u
www.rasalkahimahtourism.com
www.facebook.com/visitrasalkhaimah
www.youtube.com/visitrasalkhaimah
https://twitter.com/raktourism

"RAK Tourism" iPad / iPhone App.

For further information on the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority contact:
Ms. Nermin Abushnaf - Director of PR & Marketing
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority Government of Ras Al Khaimah
RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry 5^th floor - P.O.Box 29798
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Tel: +971 (0)7 233 8998
Email: nermin@rasalkhaimahtourism.com Website: www.rasalkhaimahtourism.com

Contact:
Ras Al Khaimah TDA public relations team on: rasalkhaimahtourism@fourcommunications.com
Jo Robertson (English language)
joanna.robertson@fourcommunications.com
+971 (0) 55 980 66 97

Ghali Houri (Arabic language)
Ghali.houri@fourcommunications.com
+971 (0) 55 980 6698