Abu Dhabi’s Youth Tourism Summer Programme To Be Expanded

70 Graduate From Ground-Breaking Industry Development Initiative

The ground-breaking Youth Tourism programme initiated by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel (AFOCH), one of the emirate’s leading business and leisure venues, is to be expanded next year after its highly successful inaugural run.

The news came as 70 Emirati students – a mix of young men and women all aged between 15 and 20 – graduated from the summer programme with many now inspired to explore careers within the tourism industry.

“We hope next year to expand the intake to around 100 students and develop the curriculum more to include self-mastery skills following feedback from the class of 2009,” explained Nasser Al Reyami, Director Tourism Standards, ADTA.

“This will upscale the programme’s interactive capacity to enhance the team work, critical learning and presentation skills modules.

“The programme exceeded our initial expectations with enrolment being 300% oversubscribed. This clearly demonstrated that huge enthusiasm exists within our national cadre which we hope to harness and channel into future careers within Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry across all functions and levels.”

The 70 graduates received their certificates from Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, ADTA’s Deputy Director General – business support services at the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel.

The month-long Youth Tourism programme was designed to develop the students’ leaderships and team work skills, better understand the scope and function of the hospitality and tourism industry, gain hands-on experiential learning in hospitality operations and gain greater awareness of Abu Dhabi’s attributes as a destination of distinction.

The programme included front and back office operational experience at the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, familiarisation trips to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, Emirates Palace, Tourism Development & Investment Company, Arabian Saluki centre, Sir Bani Yas Island, the Heritage Village, Falcon Hospital, Al Ain and the Summer in Abu Dhabi family carnival which runs at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until August 15.

“Our research had shown that nationals had limited understanding of the many varied career options available within the industry and we believe this programme has begun addressing their misconceptions,” added Al Reyami.

Two teams of six students – the Bedouins representing the males and Abu Dhabi Tent representing the females – topped a contest to find the best project for a tour itinerary for Abu Dhabi in 2012. The entrants were judged on their content, relevance, creativity, practicality and interest level.

“It was a hard fought contest with some excellent and highly creative submissions and certainly some of the ideas put forward could easily be incorporated into tour operator itineraries,” said Al Reyami.

Winning team members were: The Bedouins: Khalifa Al Hossani; Hazza Al Amri; Faisal Al Hossani; Ibrahim Al Hossani; Ghanem Al Hossani and Ismail Al Hammadi and Abu Dhabi Tent: Njood Al Hosani; Alanood Khoury; Hiba BuHazza; Noora Al Mansouri; Shamma Al Junaiby and Bashayer Al Ali.

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