Sharjah: A tourist’s first encounter with a city often takes place during the first taxi ride after leaving the airport. A new initiative in Sharjah’s tourism sector will focus its first phase on training taxi drivers to improve their customer service and interaction skills when dealing with tourists in the emirate.
The initiative called ‘Marhabtain’ was launched by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), in cooperation with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), with the aim of promoting Sharjah as a world-class tourism destination.
The first training programme will take place over one to two years, during which up to 5,000 taxi drivers will be trained. Each session will include an average of 20-25 trainees, who will be trained over a two- to three-month period, said Mohammad Ali Al No’man, Chairman of SCTDA.
“The launch of the first phase will enable taxi drivers to offer a welcoming experience to tourists, as well as enhancing the overall image of the taxi service in Sharjah which will also contribute to making the emirate an ideal family destination,” Al No’man said.
The programme will focus on transforming driver behaviour and attitude, with the aim of enhancing their skills to offer better service to tourists. Through the programme, drivers will also better understand the importance of customers in the tourism industry. They will be educated on essential tourism-related information, including key facts about Sharjah and its important tourist locations, major activities, and events. Drivers will also be equipped to help provide passengers with information on shopping, dining, sports, and hotels in the emirate. Attractive incentives will also be provided to taxi drivers and operators who generate support and positive results from the training programme.
Phase two
The ‘Marhabtain’ initiative will also work on developing human capabilities in various areas in the hospitality sector. Workshops and forums for top level management, and training workshops for hotel managers, travel agents and employees in the tourism industry are included in the initiative’s plan.
The training programmes will especially focus on enhancing the capabilities of front line employees who deal directly with tourists, with the goal of meeting world class standards, Al No’man said.
‘Marhabtain’ will also include another initiative to encourage training of UAE nationals and enhance the Emiratisation process in the tourism sector.
The launch of the initiative is in line with the Sharjah Tourism Vision ‘World-Class Tourism Facilities and Capabilities’, which aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2021. The emirate aims to reach its goal by focusing on enhancing four main areas: ideal family tourism destination, innovative tourism approach, world-class tourism facilities and capabilities, and international cultural hub.
