Emirati students to be Abu Dhabi ambassadors at GIBTM 2009

In its second year, the GIBTM Ambassador Programme is a joint initiative between GIBTM organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) to provide business tourism industry protocol training for Zayed University students as part of their final year Communication and Media Sciences degree.

The training and experience will help students succeed with their degrees' tourism and special events component, with the GIBTM Ambassador Programme giving them invaluable on-the-ground experience aimed at incentivising them to take up employment within the business travel or meetings industry.

And with GIBTM 2009 being 15% larger than last year with 232 exhibitors - 13 of them new to the show - and with the event's biggest hosted buyer programme featuring 245 key industry decision-makers from 25 countries, the students have their work cut out for them.

As part of their coursework, the students have engaged with representatives from several ADTA departments to gain insight into the various tourism industry aspects, such as business and product development as well as communications and visitor guiding.

"Emiratisation within the tourism sector is an ADTA priority and we've identified business tourism as a sector which could have major appeal to young, aspiring nationals,"

said Nasser Al Reyami, ADTA's Director Tourism Standards.

"As the future leaders of the industry, we are currently pursuing a campaign of actively educating UAE nationals on the wide variety of career opportunities open to them, and the GIBTM Ambassador Programme is a vital component of this strategy," added Al Reyami.

According to recent economic modelling undertaken by the authority based on 2007 data, Emiratis currently account for a slim 1% of the 47,700 jobs Abu Dhabi's current tourism industry directly supports. The authority is looking to improve the ratio to 5% by 2012.

"The GIBTM Ambassador Programme has really started to play a key role in the development and curriculum of our students, giving them not only vital and practical industry experience but also opening their eyes to the realm of career possibilities within the tourism sector," commented Dr Sheena Westwood, Associate Professor, College of Communications and Media Sciences, Zayed University.

During GIBTM, which runs at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), from March 31-April 2, the student Ambassadors will act as the 'authentic face of Abu Dhabi' - hosting the event's Welcome Desks at official hotels, and assisting with the greeting and orientation of international and regional event attendees. The students will also accompany international Hosted Buyers throughout a dedicated Abu Dhabi familiarisation day tour of the emirate.

And for one Zayed University graduate, Fatima Nasser Al Melhi, a former GIBTM Ambassador and now full-time ADTA employee, the programme proved invaluable.

"I was involved in last year's Ambassador Programme, accompanying international media and hosted buyers on tours of Abu Dhabi and assisting them with queries throughout the exhibition. I enjoyed the experience of guiding so much that I applied to ADTA for a job as soon as I graduated and am now working on many exciting projects such as conducting guided tours of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque," explained Fatima.

In recognition of their achievements a ceremony will be held at ADNEC at the end of GIBTM to present the Ambassadors with a Certificate of Participation.

"The GIBTM Ambassador programme has become an invaluable platform for nurturing the next generation of the region's business travel and meetings professionals," commented Graeme Barnett, GIBTM Exhibition Director.