Saudis are increasingly taking up jobs as tourism guides in Taif thanks to a government initiative to Saudize this particular line of work.

In Saudi Arabia there are many locations and sites that are potential tourist spots.

Taif and Abha are known for their excellent weather, Makkah and Madinah for their Islamic value among Muslims, Khaibar and Madain Saleh for their historical importance and Jeddah and Yanbu for their beach resorts.

Ahmed Al-Juaid, a teacher who also works weekends during the summer as a tourist guide, said: “I am an ambassador for my country, showing the most important tourist attractions and historical and archaeological sites.”

He added Saudi youths receive many benefits as a tour guide.

He said: “It will develop their individual skills, forge a good relationship with tourists from inside Saudi Arabia or outside, and there are financial benefits as well.”

Guides provide assistance and information to people during organized tours.

They also serve individual clients and schools and other education institutes at religious and historical sites, museums, and other venues of significant interest.

Al-Juaid said: “I applied through the website of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities to become a licensed tourist guide.“I completed all the requirements, passing all the exams after attending a short course. Finally I was interviewed before I got the license.”

There are three types of tourist guide: public tourist guide, local tourist guide and location or site guide. Site and location guides are requested mostly by visitors who come to Taif.
Al-Juaid said: “The Al-Shafa and Al-Hada areas are considered the most attractive sites in Taif, the Souk Okaz festival when it is held annually, the cable car station in Al-Hada Mountains as well as Taif’s rose farms and factories.”

He said: “The Al-Hada zig zag roads are considered one of the favourite sites because you can easily see the Al-Hada Mountains and Tahoma area.

“They can also see the old historic pedestrian’s walkway, and you can see both the new and old paths together. “Summer time is the peak season for tourist guides. The Taif Rose and Souk Okaz festivals lead to increased demand.”

Al-Juaid said tourism guides help promote domestic tourism. “We have desert camping trips to places such as the Al-Waba crater, around 250 km from Taif.”