The Ministry of Economic Affairs, represented by the Department of Tourism Growth, has launched a revolutionary digital platform to simplify the procedures for obtaining a standardized license for travel guides, in collaboration with local tourism authorities and departments.
Through this platform, the UAE is making it easier for people to obtain a single tour guide license, as part of its efforts to grow its tourism industry, create jobs, and digitalize government services.
The platform’s launch aimed to streamline the processes for acquiring a license, appoint a unified platform for citizen inquiries, provide all information on license conditions and procedures, as well as submit a knowledge test and make training content available for download.
“The Ministry of Economy is looking forward to identifying Emirati talent that has a passion for imparting knowledge about our nation and informing others about the UAE’s tourism treasures, its history, its heritage, and its captivating sites,” according to the statement.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi UAE Minister Entrepreneurship and SMEs
“The unified license for tourism consultancy is a qualitative addition to the tourism scene and the ambitious plans and programs to promote national tourism as a unified product in the UAE are on the map of the most important global travel destinations and increase the contribution of the tourism sector as an important resource for the national economy. With this initiative, we want to encourage more citizens of the country to take up the profession of tourism consultancy and provide all means to strengthen the role of national talents and competencies in the development of the tourism sector. This initiative mainly focuses on giving the young generation from the Emirates more opportunities in the tourism sector. Raising awareness of the UAE’s heritage and cultural identity; And to remove all obstacles that stand in the way of the uniform exercise of the profession of a tourist guide in the various emirates of the country, without restrictions.”
The UAE’s unified tour guide visa is valid for two years on a renewable basis and has a flexible application process. Benefits of the permit include applying electronically, having a single license to work across all seven emirates, free entry into the UAE’s major tourism sites, a two-year duration, and flexibility for contracting as a part-time worker or independent contractor, the ministry added.
The UAE is known for its luxury hotels, the world’s tallest building, and shopping malls, and tourism is a key pillar of economic diversification for the country. The government has implemented a range of initiatives and stimulus packages to help the sector cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
