A novel Emirati-led tour programme is showcased at the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism’s, DCT, stand at the now-running World Travel Market, to allow tourists and residents to gain a firsthand experience into the Emirati culture at the hands of Emirati tourist guides.

The programme, dubbed ‘Emirati Experiences’, allows visitors to see the authentic side of Abu Dhabi on guided tours carried out by Emiratis, which can be booked on the DCT website.

"The offering, launched in October, encourages Emirati youth to present their country and traditional culture to the entire world," Souad Al Ma’mari, the programme supervisor, told WAM.

These tours will focus on handicrafts, traditional hospitality, and lifestyle across the Emirate and are led so far by four Emirati nationals: Heba bin Redha, Sultan Karrani, Saleh Al Ameri and Mohamed Al Hammadi, she added.

Emirati Experiences is set to address unique experience and there are currently 10 tours on offer and display by these promising young men and ladies through www.visitabudhabi.ae, she explained.

Potential tour guides may apply for the programme through the DCT and undergo a two-month training course after which they get an official license from the Department to start working on their offering, she added.

"The training programme helps hone our youth’s tourist and sightseeing skills and more importantly leads to creating job opportunities for those interested in our local culture and tourist wealth."

Any UAE national interested in getting involved with the initiative can get in touch with the department on its website, while there are also imminent plans to launch an Emirati tour-guide training programme, she noted.

Abu Dhabi today got the Best Stand Award at the WTM, surpassing 182 participating countries and 5000 exhibitors from all over the world.