Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) reaffirms its commitment to empowering professionals in the tourism sector by launching the Hadaf Initiative, which offers rewards and incentives to SCTDA-licensed tour guides. This initiative, which is part of SCTDA’s plan to support national talent interested in establishing a career in Sharjah’s tourism sector, also opens more opportunities for those interested in obtaining a tourist guide license in the emirate. The Hadaf initiative is being launched in conjunction with the World Tourism Day, which falls on September 27 each year.

The Hadaf programme 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 within the sector. The training will moreover aid tour guides in increasing their awareness of the importance of having accurate data regarding tourist destinations, as well as the culture and heritage of Sharjah and the UAE in general.

The second is for SCTDA-licensed tour guides to receive incentives in appreciation of their efforts in serving the tourism sector and Sharjah visitors. As part of the incentives, tour guides will receive the Hadaf e-card, which provides special discounts and exclusive packages. As for the third one, the Authority will have observers and experts participate in the tours and evaluate the performance of tour guides during their interaction with tourists.

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “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. This also reflects our confidence in their contributions to raising the standard of tourism services in Sharjah. The emirate is home to a vast range of tourist attractions that are sure to captivate tourists, such as luxury hotels and resorts, and other advanced infrastructure and promising developments. 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, which is one of the target objectives of the UAE’s economy.”

Al Midfa added: “The timely launch of this initiative coincides with the World Tourism Day, an event celebrated every year, spearheaded by the World Tourism Organization to celebrate the achievements of the global tourism sector. SCTDA is delighted to participate in this celebration under the theme, ‘Tourism for inclusive growth’ emphasizing the crucial role played by the tourism sector in the growth and development of a country’s economy and society. During our pilot virtual series, an exchange of ideas and proposals about the prominent challenges and opportunities within the tourism industry was facilitated. We also reviewed industry best practices to ensure the best tourism experience for our tourists and discussed the development of effective strategies. We remain steadfast in strengthening Sharjah’s position as a home of leading tourist destinations and increasing the tourism sector’s vital contribution to the UAE’s economy and sustainable development.”

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 the Emirate of Sharjah in local, regional, and international forums.

Meanwhile, Invest in Sharjah, has confirmed participation at the world’s biggest fair, which is taking place from October 1 to March 31, 2022.

 With a presence at the Business Connect Center on the Expo grounds, Invest in Sharjah will be hosting key discussions and specialised activities to promote the wide array of lucrative business and investment opportunities in Sharjah’s rapidly diversifying economy in the sectors of culture and tourism, mobility and logistics, health and wellbeing, greentech, human capital and innovation, advanced manufacturing, agri-food technology that have come under the spotlight over the past year.

The entity will be hosting a discussion series on a variety of current and key topics, bringing public and private entities in the UAE and beyond together for exchanging ideas, and use the Invest in Sharjah platform for networking and matchmaking activities.

Earlier this year, Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, had confirmed that the investment agency is working to create ecosystems for specific sectors. “Over the past 50 years since the UAE’s formation, Sharjah has played a leading role in amplifying our nation’s global reputation as a leading destination for business, investment and innovation. The emirate’s resilient economy has displayed impressive growth in the past year, thanks to a generous government stimulus package, six specialised free zones offering world class opportunities, and an FDI-friendly regulatory framework, positioning itself well for the future”.