Oman launches Freelance Tour Guide initiative

Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in cooperation with the National Employment Programme and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, today launched the “Freelance Work Record” initiative for those working in the tourist guide profession, at the ministry’s headquarters.

The initiative aims to support and organize the tourism guidance sector in the Sultanate of Oman, facilitate procedures for independent workers in this field, provide a supportive environment for them, and enhance the quality of tourism guidance services in line with the tourism aspirations of the Sultanate of Oman.

The Freelance Work Register provides a legal and regulatory framework for tour guides, which contributes to improving the level of service provided to visitors, and supports practitioners of the profession by providing training and development opportunities.

The launch of the initiative was sponsored by His Excellency Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, who explained that the tour guide plays a pivotal role in highlighting the bright image of tourist attractions and creating a positive impression among tourists while practicing the profession in tourist sites, noting that the tourist’s repetition of the visit depends mainly on the personality of the guide through the realism of the information he possesses and his style of exciting narration used to convey information while leading tourist groups.

His Excellency said: Obtaining a license to practice the profession of tourist guide after passing the prescribed training period is one of the steps set by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to enhance the concept of tourism quality in practicing this profession, in addition to spreading awareness among workers in this field and motivating them to raise their competitiveness at the local level and encouraging them to adhere to the quality standards set for the purpose of continuous improvement and development, in addition to working on the sustainability of training and development for human resources working in the profession of tourist guide.

His Excellency pointed out that the number of Omani guides who have obtained a license to practice the profession of tourist guides has reached 906 guides with valid licenses until the end of September of this year, stressing that the announcement of the initiative comes to highlight the importance of practicing the profession and the appreciated role played by guides and their effective contribution to the tourism industry in the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to encouraging those interested and studying in the tourism sector to work in this profession, which provides job opportunities for citizens in this field.