Qatar Tourism Honours 147 Participants at ‘Legacy of Guides’ Ceremony

Doha: Qatar Tourism’s Service Excellence Academy has celebrated the achievements of 147 participants who took part in its tour guide training and youth development programmes during 2026.

The recognition took place during the “Legacy of Guides: Generation to Generation” ceremony, held on September 5 at Oasis Stage, Mall of Qatar. 

Four Tourism Training Programmes Recognised

Participants from four programmes were honoured during the ceremony:

•    Junior Tour Guide Summer Camp 2026 – 110 children 
•    “Guiding the Next Generation” Train-the-Trainer Programme – eight licensed Qatari tour guides 
•    Youth Tour Guide Training Programme – 19 participants 
•    Tour Guide Licensing Programme – 11 newly certified guides 

The programmes are designed to introduce young people to Qatar’s tourism sector while strengthening the skills of existing and future tour guides.

Tour Guides Play Key Role in Visitor Experience

Speaking at the ceremony, Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Director of Operations Affairs at Qatar Tourism, highlighted the important role tour guides play in presenting Qatar’s culture, history and heritage to visitors.

He said Qatar Tourism, through the Service Excellence Academy, is investing in local talent, engaging younger generations and developing the skills required to deliver high-quality visitor experiences while supporting the continued growth of the country’s tourism industry. 

Partners and Trainers Also Honoured

The ceremony also recognised the partners and trainers who contributed to the success of the programmes.

Their involvement included hosting educational and training visits for participants throughout the year, providing practical exposure to Qatar’s tourism attractions and visitor experiences. 

Expanding Opportunities for Young Qataris

Qatar Tourism’s Tour Guide Training Programme, launched in 2016 in partnership with Qatar Youth Hostels, has now reached its fourth edition.

Meanwhile, the Junior Tour Guide Summer Camp completed its second edition in 2026.

This year also saw the introduction of the Youth Tour Guide Training Programme for the first time, creating additional opportunities for young people to gain early experience in tourism and prepare for future roles within the sector. 

Supporting Qatar’s Growing Tourism Sector

Through its tour guide development initiatives, Qatar Tourism aims to strengthen local capabilities and build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to the country’s expanding tourism industry.

By involving children, young people, licensed guides and new professionals, the programmes also help ensure that Qatar’s culture, heritage and stories continue to be shared with visitors by knowledgeable and well-trained local guides. 

Source: Qatar News Agency (QNA)