The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has launched a new program ‘Hadaf Initiative’ in line with its commitment to empowering professionals in the tourism sector.
The initiative, which is part of the authority’s plan to support national talents interested in a career in Sharjah’s tourism sector, aims to offer rewards and incentives to SCTDA-licensed tour guides.
The Hadaf initiative is being launched in conjunction with World Tourism Day and it aims to open more opportunities for those interested in obtaining a tourist guide license.
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa Chairman – SCTDA
“The Hadaf initiative, which will initiate the virtual workshops, field inspection tours, and the Hadaf reward card, is part of our commitment to support and reward licensed tour guides and encourage young talent in the tourism sector. In keeping with the developments in the emirate, we are launching Hadaf along with other initiatives to train talented individuals in order to support the sustainability of the tourism industry.”
The program comprises three main strategies. The first being the hosting of virtual workshops centered around training tour guides to develop relevant skills, keeping pace with the latest global trends. The second is for SCTDA-licenced tour guides to receive incentives in appreciation of their efforts in serving the sector and Sharjah visitors. As part of the incentives, tour guides will receive the Hadaf e-card, which provides special discounts and packages. As part of the third strategy, the authority will have observers and experts participate in the tours and evaluate the performance of the guides during their interaction with tourists.
SCTDA’s Hadaf initiative outlines a set of goals, the most prominent of which is to continue to support and develop the skills of national talent working in the tourism sector and to equip a core team to highlight the tourism potentials of Sharjah in local, regional, and international forums.
