Abu Dhabi’s Largest Tourism Youth Summer Camp Graduates Course Content To Be Upgraded As Destination’s Offering Expands

Some 110 students, who made up the largest Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) Youth Summer Camp, have graduated after an intensive 30-day programme which has given the class of 14 to 16 year-olds a solid grounding in tourism and its economic and social impact.

The graduates received their certificates and recognition awards from ADTA’s Abdul Aziz Al Hammadi, Deputy Director General, Business Support Services, Khaled Al Hashemi, Administration Director and Nasser Al Reyami, Tourism Standards Director.

During the course the youngsters underwent a balanced mix of research studies, group discussions, hands-on learning, lectures, presentations and field trips. They toured a range of the emirate’s tourism attractions – many visiting them for the first time.

“I believe the students are now excited about this emirate’s tourism industry and the role it is playing in our economic diversification,” said Nasser Al Reyami. “I hope that many of them will be future employees and leaders of Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector and that they will trace their ambitions, and success, back to this programme.”

The two-year programme was this year staged in partnership with the Tawteen Programme, an Emiratisation initiative of the Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy.

Fatima Abdulaziz, one of the graduates, said the course helped boost her self-confidence and gain leadership skills.

“I have never experienced such things before, I loved everything about the camp. At the beginning I was a shy girl and now I know how to be a leader to others, thank you ADTA for the opportunity.”

Another graduate, Kawthar Al Alawi said the experience helped her see Abu Dhabi in a new perspective and she is encouraging all UAE nationals to enroll in the summer camp.

“It was a great course, this was an opportunity to see my city with new eyes. Every UAE national and resident should experience this.

“I really enjoyed our visits to Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain and particularly liked the activities at the hotels, many of which I have visited for the first time such as Hilton- Abu Dhabi and Aloft,” she added.

The summer camp was also an opportunity for many students to discover Abu Dhabi’s future projects. For Fahad Yehya, discovering Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District was a highlight.

“My favourite part was finding out about all the future museums to open on the island. I did not fully understand this development before and I look forward to visiting it once completed.”

The initiative has already encouraged graduates into the tourism sector. A past graduate is now joining ADTA as a full time employee and four others are now working as cultural guides at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

“These are small beginnings but we believe the future holds out greater things,” said Al Reyami.

The ADTA’s Tourism Standard Director added that the authority is looking to expand the content of the Youth Summer Camp for the 2011 edition to reflect the destination’s growing number of attractions.

Among the attractions visited during the course were Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Tourism Development &Investment Company, Manarat Al Sadiyaat, Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management on Yas Island, Yas Hotel, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the Arabian Saluki Centre, Heritage Village, Emirates Palace, Zayed House, Etihad Airways, Al Ain Palace Museum, Jahili Fort, Abu Dhabi National Hotels’ Sheraton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Abu Dhabi, Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel and Flash, the event management company by Mubadala.
 

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