Qatar Tourism honours 147 participants in 2026 tour guide training programmes

Qatar Tourism’s Academy of Service Excellence has honoured 147 participants who completed a range of tour guide training programmes during 2026.

The participants were recognised at a ceremony titled “The Legacy of Guides: From Generation to Generation”, held at Mall of Qatar.

The programmes are designed to build local tourism expertise, engage younger generations and strengthen the skills needed to deliver high-quality visitor experiences across Qatar.

Four training programmes recognised

Participants were honoured across four main programmes.

The Young Tourist Guide Summer Camp 2026 welcomed 110 children, giving them an early introduction to Qatar’s tourism sector, culture and heritage.

A further seven licensed Qatari tour guides took part in the “Mentoring the Next Generation” Tourist Guides Training Program, which prepares experienced guides to support and train younger participants.

The Young Tourist Guide Training Program included 19 trainees, while 11 participants completed the Tourist Guidance Program and received their tour guide licences.

Building stronger visitor experiences

Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Director of Operations at Qatar Tourism, said tour guides play an important role in shaping how visitors experience the country.

He highlighted their role in sharing Qatar’s stories, culture and heritage, while noting that Qatar Tourism continues to invest in national talent and youth engagement through the Academy of Service Excellence.

The programmes are intended to develop the skills needed to provide stronger visitor experiences and support the continued growth of Qatar’s tourism sector.

New opportunities for younger participants

The Young Tourist Guide Summer Camp completed its second cycle in 2026, while the wider tourist guide programme, first launched in 2016, reached its fourth cycle in cooperation with Qatari Youth Hostels.

This year also saw the launch of the Young Tour Guide Training Program for the first time, creating additional opportunities for young people to gain early exposure to the tourism sector.

The initiative is designed to create a clearer pathway between youth participation, skills development and future professional opportunities in tourism.

Supporting Qatar’s tourism workforce

The ceremony also recognised trainers, partners and organisations that supported the programmes and hosted educational and training visits throughout the year.

Through its guide development initiatives, Qatar Tourism is continuing to build national capabilities and strengthen the pool of qualified professionals supporting the country’s tourism industry.

The programmes form part of wider efforts to support the sustainable growth of Qatar’s tourism sector while improving the quality and authenticity of experiences offered to visitors.

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