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About DCT Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve the UAE capital’s wider global ambitions.

Our vision is defined by the Emirate’s heritage, language, and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity and innovation, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives, and creative thought.

We strive to unite the tourism ecosystem around a shared vision of the Emirate’s potential, to coordinate efforts and investment, to regulate and to use the best tools, policies, and systems to support Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a leading global destination, locally and internationally.

Vision

To welcome the world to Abu Dhabi, connecting cultures and inspiring generations to embark on journeys of creativity and discovery.

Mission

To drive the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors by creating a diverse ecosystem that preserves, promotes, and embodies the Emirate’s heritage, innovative spirit and unparalleled hospitality.

Values

  • Welcoming

  • Pioneering

  • Agile

  • Collaborative

Courses

Abu Dhabi Tour Guide Training Programme

The exciting training programme will help you on your journey to becoming a world-class Abu Dhabi tourist guide. The programme is designed to be hybrid (online training and practical on-site training) where you will gain extensive and detailed knowledge about Abu Dhabi, and learn to embed crucial soft skills including communication, presentation techniques, and group management.

The journey consists of 4 main steps to eventually obtain the Abu Dhabi tourist guide license:

adtt

This session can be attended by anyone who is interested to know the details of the training program. The session will guide you through the steps of Abu Dhabi tourist guide training and licensing program. To register for attending the virtual sessions please click here.

After the introduction session, if you are interested to join the program you can proceed to register online through TAMM. Before that, make sure to have the following:

Activated UAE PASS account

Soft copies of the required documents:

  1. Valid passport (at least valid for 6 months)

  2. Valid UAE residence permit (at least valid for 6 months/for Expats only)

  3. Valid Emirates Id (both sides)

  4. Clear personal picture with white background (to be used on the license)

  5. Police Clearance Certificate from any Emirate (issue date must not be older than 6 months)

  6. First Aid Certificate issued from any institution in UAE

  7. All pages of the UAE Family Book (only for Children of Emirati Mother)

  8. CV

The service on TAMM is under the title Enroll in the Tourist Guide Training: Click Here to Enroll.

Follow the steps to fill-in the required information and to upload the required documents in order to finalize the registration by paying the service fees which is AED 2,700 for Expat applicants and free of charge for Emiratis and Children of Emirati Mothers.

You will receive by email with your credentials to access ADTT platform where you will be able to study the required modules for the training program:

Quizzes are included to make sure that you have acquired the necessary knowledge in order to move to the next module.

Figures and facts about the platform:

Learning Mode

Self-paced

Program Language

English and Arabic

Total Seat Time

10 hours

# Of Modules

9 modules

Total # of Lessons

125 lessons

Avg # of videos

13 videos per module

Avg video duration

5 minutes

Upon successful completion of the online modules on the platform, you can book your seat for the mock test and final assessments:

  • Knowledge Assessment is an online assessment where you will answer 10060 multiple choice questions on Abu Dhabi knowledge based on the information found in the Knowledge Material.
  • Moving Tour Practice is where you are going to test your skills and knowledge in conducting a city tour on a bus, and you will receive a general feedback on your performance to know how to pass the practical final assessment.
  • Presentation Assessment will be a virtual assessment where you will present two topics; a prepared presentation which you will know in advance, and an unprepared topic where you will be asked on spot.
  • Moving Tour Practical Assessment is where you will apply your Abu Dhabi knowledge and guiding skills in conducting part of a city tour.

Upon successfully completion of the assessments, the Abu Dhabi tourist guide license will be issued with your name and picture. Validity of the license is for 2 years, and it can be renewed by setting through an online assessment.

FAQs

Enrol in tourist guide training

Registration


  1. Attend the Awareness session

  2. Create a personal Profile on TAMM and pay the training fees

  3. Access the online course on Abu Dhabi Tourism Talents platform

  4. Attend the assessments

Create a profile on TAMM and submit the application online

TAMM - Enroll in the Tourist Guide Training

No, you need to have a UAE residence visa.

You need to be 18 to register

Documents


You are required to upload the below documents in your Online Application. 

  • Passport Copy (minimum 6 months validity)
  • Residency Visa Copy (minimum 6 months validity)
  • Emirates ID (both sides in one document/ minimum 6 months validity)
  • Police Clearance Certificate e.g., certificate of good conduct (you may get the Police Clearance issued in any Emirate if it is valid for 6 months) 
  • 1 recent photograph (color with white background)
  • First Aid (Emergency CPR & First Aid Certification) (can be issued from any emirate)
  • All pages of the Family book * Children of Emirati

No, the application must be submitted online, and all documents uploaded at the time of the application through TAMM.

No, police clearance certificates from any Emirate in the UAE are also accepted.

No, you can apply for the Police Clearance Certificate Online through this link Ministry of Interior MOI - Issuance of clear criminal record certificate

You need to update your profile once you receive the updated documents. No license can be issued with documents that will expire in a short period of time.

Training Course


Almost 5 weeks starting from the Awareness Session to the Final Assessments.

Yes, attending all the training sessions assessments whether they are virtual or in-person is mandatory to acquire the license.

Practicing your presentation skills and gaining a deeper understanding of Abu Dhabi's attractions, architectural influences, and cultural diversity.

Aside from your knowledge of Abu Dhabi, you will be handed a tourist guide knowledge material of Abu Dhabi’s culture, traditions, and attractions. It has some activities and video references that will help you in guiding.

There are great opportunities for candidates who are fluent in languages such as Japanese, Korean, Brazilian, Portuguese, and Russian as well as English or Mandarin.

No, it’s illegal.

Fees


The total fees are AED 2,700* for Expat applicants and free of charge for UAE Nationals and Children of Emirati Mother.

* Fees for the Abu Dhabi Tourist Guide training and Licensing Course are non-refundable and Non-Transferable

The fees for all training programmes must be paid online through TAMM. For details on how to complete online payments, please visit TAMM website TAMM - Enroll in the Tourist Guide Training

No, all payments must be made online. Cash payments are not accepted.

  1. Credit Cards
  2. Debit Cards (please ensure online / internet payments are allowed by your bank) 
  3. Using eDirham Instant application innovated by the UAE Ministry of Finance Note: Visa Electron Cards are not accepted.

Note: Visa Electron Cards are not accepted.

No, payment is done as one-time.

Guiding policies


No, you can only guide in Abu Dhabi Emirate if your license was issued from the Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

No, you will not be able to guide unless you successfully complete the training course, pass the final assessments and receive your license.

You have three months from the expiration date. After that, you will be fined if you continue to guide. Even if you have applied to renew your tour guide license, you cannot guide without it.

Yes, if its valid. You can find your online license in TAMM website/application

No, it’s illegal

Renew tourist guide license


The renewal process involves 4 tasks:

  1. Apply online on TAMM and update your personal information
  2. Attend the License Renewal assessment
  3. New License is issued once you pass the assessment

Click on the below to be directed to Manage Tourist Guide License detailing information on the process:

TAMM - Manage Tourist Guide Licence

The total fee is AED 500 for Emiratis and Expats

You have 3 months from your expiry date

You will need to register for the training course

You will have another chance for free

You will have to pay the renewal fees again

Replace tourist guide license


All Abu Dhabi Tourist Guides are required to display their tourist guide license prominently when they are guiding in the emirate. Should any tourist guide lose or misplace their tourist guide license, they are required to seek a replacement immediately.

  1. Pay the replacement fees (250 AED) by clicking on TAMM: TAMM - Manage Tourist Guide Licence
  2. Send an email to idd@dctabudhabi.ae to inform the Admins about the lost license quoting your license number and that you completed the payment of the Lost License Fees of AED 250. After that an Admin will send you the new license via Aramex.

Meet the Team

Layla Ahmed Al Qatta

+971 2 599 5369

Ruqaya Abdulla Al Mazrouei

+971 2 599 5493

Fatima Hamad AlNeyadi

+971 2 697 6414

Contact Us