Qatar Tourism hosts 'Legacy of Guides'

The Legacy of Guides: Generation to Generation ceremony was held in Qatar, celebrating the accomplishments of 147 individuals who participated in tour guide training and youth development programs throughout 2026. Hosted at Oasis Stage, Mall of Qatar, the event honored four distinct programmes: the Junior Tour Guide Summer Camp 2026, which welcomed 110 young participants; the Guiding the Next Generation Train-the-Trainer Programme, which trained eight already licensed Qatari tour guides to mentor others; the Youth Tour Guide Training Programme, with 19 attendees; and the Tour Guide Licensing Programme, which certified 11 guides.

Omar Abdulrahman al-Jaber, Director of Operations Affairs at Qatar Tourism, emphasized the significance of tour guides in enhancing visitor experiences by sharing the country's culture, heritage, and stories. He highlighted that the Service Excellence Academy invests in local talent and engages young people, aiming to develop the skills necessary to deliver high-quality experiences and foster the continued growth of Qatar's tourism sector.

The ceremony acknowledged the partners and trainers who contributed to the programs, including those who arranged educational and training visits for participants throughout the year. The Tour Guide Training Programme, initiated in 2016 in collaboration with Qatar Youth Hostels, is now in its fourth edition. The Junior Tour Guide Summer Camp concluded its second edition in 2026.

This year also marked the debut of the Youth Tour Guide Training Programme, providing participants with the opportunity to train and prepare future generations.

Through its tour guide development programs, Qatar Tourism is actively building local capabilities and expanding the talent pipeline to support the sustainable growth of the country's tourism sector.