Doha, Qatar: Qatar Youth Hostels is continuing to strengthen Qatar’s tourism workforce through its “Future Qatar Tour Guides” programme, which has produced a new generation of qualified national tour guides equipped with the professional knowledge and practical skills needed to showcase the country’s cultural and heritage attractions.
The initiative, organised in partnership with Qatar Tourism for the fourth consecutive year, aims to build a sustainable pool of young Qatari tour guides capable of representing the country and enhancing visitors’ experiences.
Speaking to Al Rayyan TV recently, Abdullah Saeed, Head of Public Relations and Communication at Qatar Youth Hostels, said the programme was launched to prepare Qatari youth with the essential competencies required for professional tour guiding. Although the initiative was first introduced in 2018, its content has been continuously developed to meet higher professional standards and the evolving needs of Qatar’s tourism sector.
He noted that the latest edition offers participants the opportunity to obtain an accredited tour guide licence from Qatar Tourism without undergoing a separate interview, reflecting the organisers’ confidence in the programme’s rigorous training standards.
Saeed said the programme is exclusively open to Qatari nationals, with both male and female participants selected through a competitive interview process.
While a large number of applicants register each year, only 15 to 20 candidates are admitted to each edition to ensure intensive, high-quality training.
Saeed said that over the past four editions, the programme has graduated around 60 qualified tour guides, several of whom have secured employment opportunities in the tourism and museum sectors, including positions at the National Museum of Qatar, highlighting the programme’s success in creating career pathways for young Qataris.
He said that the training combines classroom instruction with practical field experience. Participants must successfully complete a theoretical assessment before advancing to the practical phase, which is scheduled from August 28 to 31.
The practical component includes workshops at Qatar Youth Hostels conducted by trainers provided by Qatar Tourism, followed by field visits to leading tourist destinations, including the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
According to Saeed, the field training is designed to prepare participants to lead tours for international visitors and official delegations across Qatar, providing them with first-hand experience of presenting the country’s diverse cultural, historical and sporting attractions.
The programme also focuses on developing essential interpersonal skills, including welcoming visitors, effective communication, engaging storytelling, group management and responding confidently to visitors’ questions.
He said the programme deliberately exposes trainees to a variety of destinations because future tour guides are expected to accompany official delegations and tourist groups to attractions across all regions of Qatar. This practical experience enables participants to understand how to present each site’s historical, cultural and tourism significance while tailoring their presentations to different audiences.
Saeed added that the programme also places strong emphasis on developing communication and interpersonal skills. Participants are trained in welcoming visitors, managing tour groups, delivering engaging and informative presentations, and responding confidently to visitors’ questions. He stressed that successful tour guides should possess an approachable personality, adaptability, and the ability to introduce Qatar’s culture, heritage and traditions in a manner that leaves a lasting impression on international visitors.
