Sharjah unveils training programme for hotel staff as emirate prepares to attract 10 million tourists by 2021

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has taken another step forward in its efforts to attract 10 million visitors to the emirate as part of the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 with the launch of a new programme to train hotel sector front office staff, including receptionists and customer service representatives, who deal directly with tourists and guests.

The programme constitutes the second phase of SCTDA’s ‘Marhabtain’ initiative which aims to develop the human resource capabilities within various sectors to provide a better experience for visitors to the emirate. This phase will help hotel staff improve their communication skills, and enable them to provide outstanding tourism service in accordance with highest international standards.

The new programme was announced at a press conference at Hilton Al Sharjah attended by HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General of SCTDA, in the presence of dignitaries, senior managers of hotels and representatives of key players in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors as well as media.

Addressing the press conference, HE Al Midfa said: “The launch of the new training programme for developing the human resource capabilities in the hotel sector, underlines our commitment to work with public and private sector partners to achieve the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021.”

Al Midfa added that all the training programmes under the ‘Marhabtain’ initiative are part of SCTDA’s efforts to develop the human resources capacity in the emirate’s tourism sector, and thus activate one of the most important pillars of the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021. This key initiative will contribute towards further enhancing the tourism experience in the Emirate of Sharjah.”

“The Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2012 by focusing on four main pillars – promoting Sharjah as an Ideal Family Tourism Destination, following an Innovative Tourism Approach, developing World Class Tourism Facilities and Capabilities, and strengthening Sharjah’s position as an International Cultural Hub. The Vision will unite the efforts of our partners in the government and private sector in developing innovative packages and programmes to improve the tourism infrastructure and create new tourism projects in the emirate,” Al Midfa added.

Al Midfa thanked the partners and key players in the hotels sector for their cooperation that reflects their deep interest in participating in every endeavour to enhance the growth of Sharjah’s tourism sector. “Certainly, the spirit of teamwork and fruitful cooperation with our partners in the tourism sector is pivotal to develop the tourism potential of the emirate and help achieve the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021,”he concluded.

SCTDA delivered a presentation that stressed on the importance of the Marhabtain training programmes in tourism sector development. Mohannad Shahin, Managing Director MENA Region at LEAD Leading Innovation, made a detailed presentation on the new two-day training programme for frontline hotel staff. The first day will cover several important topics such as etiquette, anger management techniques and communication skills, while the second day will include a tour of Sharjah`s main tourism landmarks.

In the first phase of the Marhabtain initiative, SCTDA had recently launched a training programme for Sharjah`s taxi drivers to enhance their skills to provide outstanding customer service and promote Sharjah’s tourism landmarks.