UNESCO kicks off one-week training course for Silk Road tour guides in Turkmenistan

UNESCO kicked off the “Enhancing Silk Road Interpretation and Quality Guides” training in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, AVA Diplomatic reports.

“The sites along the Silk Road’s exceptional cultural and living heritage create incredible opportunities for tourism”, said Ms. Esther Kuisch Laroche, UNESCO Representative to Turkmenistan, during the opening ceremony.

The training programme, organized jointly by the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) and the State Committee for Tourism of Turkmenistan, will provide 25 Turkmen tour guides operating across the Silk Road, with specialized know-how on site interpretation and presentation.

“This year is going to be a very special year for all of you as tour guides. Not only is this the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, but in September Turkmenistan will also host the Asian Games. It will be the largest international event that Turkmenistan has ever hosted, and thousands of foreign tourists are expected to come here during the Games”, said Ms. Kuisch Laroche. “Many of them will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the Silk Road and I am confident that the skills and competencies you will acquire and strengthen during this training will enable you to provide the tourists with the best experience in Turkmenistan and a desire to come back again in the future.”

The UNESCO Representative stressed the important role of tour guides as “ambassadors” of their country.

The hands-on, practical training of tour guides will run from 3-9 June 2017 and will include model tours and sessions on communication and presentation skills, guiding people with special needs, and crisis management.

On the last day of the training, participants will have to pass a practical assessment as well as a written exam. Upon successful completion of the programme, the participants will be officially certified as “Silk Road Heritage Guides”.