Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has opened enrolment for the sixth in its annual Tourism Youth Summer Camp series, saying the two-week camp, designed to give youngsters insights into the destination s hospitality and tourism sectors and the role they play in the emirate s economic diversification and socio-economic development.
TCA Abu Dhabi said the camp will be conducted in English at the Yas Rotana and Yas Centro hotels from 10-25 August and is open to girls and boys aged between 15 and 17, with some 80 students to take part in a number of workshops covering a range of topics from culture, hospitality, aviation, tour operations, events, attractions, sports tourism, entertainment and entrepreneurship.
Participants will also embark on field trips in Abu Dhabi and the emirate s heritage heartland of Al Ain, to hotels and attractions and, for the first time in the programme, a fact-finding back-of-house visit to Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The Tourism Youth Summer camp will culminate with a graduation ceremony on August 25.
Also new to the programme, which is staged with the collaboration of Abu Dhabi s European International College, is a session on the emirate s burgeoning cruise tourism sector to be delivered by a speaker from Abu Dhabi Ports Company.
“Since we began this programme in 2009 around 450 students have graduated from the course and we are systematically building a cadre of young nationals who have a greater understanding of the integral role tourism plays in the economic and social mix,” said Nasser Al Reyami, Director of Standards, Regulations & Licensing, TCA Abu Dhabi.
“Tourism is one of the largest employers worldwide accounting, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, for one out of every 12 jobs with each post responsible for an additional job in the direct or indirect sector-related economy in advancing and emerging markets. The sector has a key role to play in economic sustainability yet there is often a misconception that careers within this segment are limited in scope. By sharing deeper insights with our youth, in an informative, and often fun manner, we hope to help address misconceptions and make more young people aware of the opportunities open to them.” “Other speakers in the programme represent key sector stakeholders, including Flash Entertainment, Khalifa Fund, Etihad Airways and Safer Travel,” explained Al Reyami. “Through Khalifa Fund support the students will also get to meet entrepreneurs who have successfully entered the sector and are helping to introduce our culture and destination to the increasing number of visitors choosing to vacation in our emirate.”
