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Thursday 4th September 2014: Seventy seven young nationals, all aged 15-17, have graduated with flying colours from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority’s (TCA Abu Dhabi) sixth annual Tourism Youth Summer Camp organised in conjunction with the European International College (EIC).
The graduates received their certificates at an awards ceremony following a behind-the-scenes tour of Abu Dhabi International Airport, organised in partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports Company.
“This was the first time an airport tour had been included in our programme and it resulted in a highly interactive session where the students got a better understanding of the different disciplines needed to keep a facility of this size running successfully,” said Fatima Al Melhi, Industry & Tourist Guide Training Unit Head, TCA Abu Dhabi.
The airside fact-finding mission took in the three arrival and departures procedures, airside operations, various cabin crew and airline staff roles, the state-of-the-art baggage handling system and the warm visitor welcome offered by Abu Dhabi’s customs and immigration staff.
“I had not appreciated how complex the operational systems of an airport were before this visit,” said 15-year-old Al Dana Girls School student Zeinab Al Khanami.
The need to deliver a good first impression and the importance of a warm hospitable welcome grabbed 16-year-old Mona Al Dhaheri’s attention.
“The airport facilities, ambiance and staff are likely to be a tourist’s first experience of a destination, so having first-class facilities and quality customer service are very important for arriving visitors,” she added.
For Ahmed Al Hosani, a 16-year-old student at Glenelg School, the airport visit was a summer camp highlight.
“Understanding the diverse roles of airline cabin crew has helped me see them in a new light. The functions they serve in delivering safety and security go way beyond their responsibilities in assisting passengers,” he said.
The visit rounded off an action-packed programme where the top three boys and girls received prizes following a written quiz and evaluation of their attendance and participation.
This year’s high-flying girl performers were 15-year-old Aisha Bin Kalban from Al Mawahib Girls Model School, 14-year-old Noura Al Menhali from Al Reem School and 13-year-old Amani Hisham, who is set to start at Applied Technology High School. Top boy performers were 15-year-old Suhail Saif Al Marzouqi from Applied Technology High School, Saqar Khaled from Glenelg School and 16-year-old Ahmed Ali Al Hammodi from Abdul Qader Al Jazaeri Secondary School.
"Our aim is to inspire participating students to consider a career in the tourism sector and understand the role the industry plays in the economic mix”, said Al Mehli.
And the graduates say the programme delivered on its purpose.
“The past two weeks have been incredible,” said prize-winner Amani Hisham. “The Camp has been the highlight of my summer and I now understand why so much effort is being placed on attracting visitors to the emirate.”
Integral to the course was the opportunity to embark on field trips to better acquaint students with Abu Dhabi’s expanding tourism offering, including visits to the Manarat Al Saadiyat exhibition centre, the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island’s sports and entertainment attractions and the gems of the emirate’s heritage heartland, Al Ain.
“It’s important that the students experience all aspects of our unique cultural heritage and headline attractions, as well as some of the less glamourous, but equally important, logistical and operational aspects required to inspire visitors to experience our destination of distinction,” added Al Mehli.
The camp’s intensive 15-day programme also saw the students take part in various workshops designed to boost their interpersonal skills and build awareness of the emirate’s tourism industry and its economic, social and environmental impacts.
TCA Abu Dhabi says it’s now looking to extend the camp programme to 18-20 year-olds who would undergo a tailored programme of internships with hospitality providers.
“It’s something we looking seriously into,” explained Al Mehli. “Initial outreach to stakeholders is proving positive.”
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