DUBAI // Seventeen students from across the region have been giving their ideas on how to help Dubai attract even more tourists as a shopping and festival destination.
The youngsters, who included members of the royal families of Qatar and Kuwait, were taking part in the annual Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment apprenticeship scheme.
“Why is the Government of Dubai investing in this?” asked Nader Hakim, media manager at the establishment.
“It’s a chance to tap into the young minds of the region and get their feedback on what we’re doing.”
The marketing and business students were asked to submit essays on how they would promote the annual Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival in their home countries.
“They always come up with really interesting ideas,” said Mr Hakim. “It’s a good way for Dubai to publicise itself.
“They want to learn from Dubai and take it back to their countries. It’s beneficial for all parties.”
Sara Makki, 20, represented the UAE in the two-week programme.
The Dubai-born national, who is studying at the Emirates Academy for Hospitality Management, said it allowed her to see a different side of her home city.
“I’ve never been on the metro and I did that for the first time. I’ve seen Dubai in a more touristic way,” Ms Makki said.
In her application essay, she said she would use social media to market the emirate, asking visitors to use a variety of hashtags such as #mydubaidsf.
“Social media is trending in the UAE,” said Ms Makki.
“This programme has shown me I love organising events and festivals so I am thinking of becoming an events organiser.
“I was scared to meet all the different people from different cultures and wondered what they would think about me, but they’ve become more like family even than friends.”
Although she studies with international students at the academy, Ms Makki admits she mainly socialises with other Emiratis.
“During orientation week you associate yourself with the group of people who think and do things like you,” she said.
“But after this I realise it’s not only local students who can think and do things like me.”
The apprenticeship was launched in 2006. It was initially open to students from two universities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, but now attracts youngsters from 100 institutions across the Mena region.
mswan@thenational.ae
