My UAE: The adventures of the Emirati tour guide Khalid Al Balushi

Khalid Al Balushi is the manager of Capital Gate Tourism and Adventures. Ravindranath K / The National

Like many Emiratis, Khalid Al Balushi grew up playing in the desert. Three decades later, he continues to enjoy it, via his job.

“The desert was my place. Al Ain was the desert place. I drove my first car at maybe 8 or 10 years old. It was so easy,” he says.

Al Balushi has been working as a tour guide in and around the capital for about 15 years, and currently manages the family business, Capital Gate Tourism and Adventures.

The 40-year-old married father of six from Al Ain loves meeting new people, and says it’s the different groups of people he works with every day that makes each trip to the desert seem like a new experience.

“Because of the new people every day, it’s like the first time for me with them,” he says.

Al Balushi takes pride in his culture and the UAE’s traditions, which, he says, attracts people to join him.

Al Balushi says he’s a stickler for quality, especially because the tour industry, particularly desert safaris, now has so many providers.

“In 2004, we had four companies doing this activity. Now, as of this month, there are 56,” he says. “Giving a good face of the capital to our customers is very important for us.”

Besides being able to be out in his desert playground regularly and help introduce visitors to Emirati culture, Al Balushi also loves that he can work with his family. His brothers also work in the business, and when he can, he takes some of his children along for the ride.

“I have my son, he is coming with me. He is now 6. He has come many times, I bring him when I have just two or three guests. He says: ‘Why you go slowly?’ He jokes with the ­people.”

With the summer just about over, Al Balushi is gearing up for the year’s busiest months, and with his Hummer safaris gaining popularity, his next step is to open a five-star camp in Al Ain in the new year.

What's your favourite food?

I prefer local food over anything else – it’s the best.

Who inspires you?

My family and friends inspire me a lot.

What's your favourite pastime?

Going to the beach or doing some sort of sea activity such as jet-skiing or kayaking.

What's your favourite movie genre?

I like watching horror movies. They're my favourites, especially The Exorcism of Emily Rose.

Describe yourself in five words.

Funny, active, leader, quality, supportive.

What's your favourite place in the UAE?

Abu Dhabi is a nice place — there is so much to do here.

If you could meet anyone in the world you haven't met yet, who would it be?

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the leader of the UAE, because he is the control for all of us and the future way.

What books do you enjoy reading?

I have loved law books since I finished law school.

Where's your favourite holiday destination?

Just being out of the country is enough for me, but I do love Switzerland.

What's your advice to young Emiratis?

Travel and see the wonders of the Emirates, and from the professional side, create a company of their own. Be hard-working.