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Dubai: Aisha Al Mishwy, an Emirati woman who broke down social barriers by becoming a tourist guide, said her love and passion for her job has helped her succeed.
Aisha, an administrator and guide at the Bait Al Gharbi (traditional house) in Sharjah, has been in the job for five years.
She has worked at many departments, which has enriched her knowledge and helped her became more involved in her job as a tourist guide.
"I worked in various departments that were related to heritage and the country's history," says Aisha.
"From there, I learned a lot and loved interacting with tourists, which encouraged me to take courses and workshops to be able to work as a tourist guide," she said.
Aisha said she was prompted to work as a tourist guide when she saw that foreign tourist guides were not conveying accurate information, leaving questions in the minds of tourists and visitors.
An ambassador
"A tourist guide is considered an ambassador for his country in his country, and an image that reflects the country's culture and traditions.
" I think a woman is more capable of doing this job because she reflects the reality of the country in a more beautiful way, by having comprehensive information about the tourist destinations, the cultural and ancient remains and museums," she said.
Aisha said a tourist guide must have wide awareness and knowledge to succeed.
"The main characteristics a tourist guide must have include, general knowledge in all fields with a focus on history and geography," Aisha said. An open mind and friendly nature are also essentials, she says.
"A guide should also have a loveable personality, courtesy in interacting with people and a smooth way of conveying information to tourists, researchers, or students," Aisha said.
She regards a tourist guide as being a mobile medium who indirectly promotes the country through dealing with tourists and the information he or she conveys to them.
"Tiring, but exciting," is how Aisha describes her job. The job gives her the chance to develop important social relationships and open up to the languages of other countries, which then enriches the personal knowledge of the tourist guide.
"I speak English and Urdu, besides Arabic and some French. Sometimes we face difficulties in dealing with tourists in some languages, especially German and Japanese, but the centre has publications in all the languages which give tourists comprehensive information," Aisha said.
To top off her achievements, Aisha was chosen as the first tourist guide to receive an international license in tourism and culture by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (Unesco).
"I love being a guide, as I discovered how greatly I am serving my country," she said.
Aisha said the UAE needs an institute that trains tourist guide or an organisation or a diploma after finishing high school which can teach the profession to Emiratis.
Aisha, who is married with four children, said her husband's support and confidence in her contributed a lot to her success.
"I am able to manage my duties as a housewife, a mother and a tourist guide because I love the excitement of my job and my husband is always encouraging me," she said.
Aisha said she chose the work of a tourist guide because it is a new field in which Emirati women can excel.
Determination
"I do not look at my success as an individual case. I believe every Emirati woman can excel in the profession she chooses through hard work, determination and excellence," she said.
Aisha said her ambition is to learning the cultures of many nations, as she has seen cultures of many Arab countries.
She also aims to participate in international conferences and learn how the work of tourist guides is done abroad.
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