Latest news with #BeautifulDestinations
Filipino Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Pia Wurtzbach now uses husband's surname ‘Jauncey'
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach has officially adopted her husband Jeremy Jauncey's surname, more than a year after they tied the knot. She even went Instagram official by changing her handle to @piajauncey. 'We're the Jaunceys now,' Pia shared in an interview with Preview. 'After a while, I started feeling like 'Pia Wurtzbach' didn't feel right anymore.' She explained that taking on her husband's last name is part of their plan to have a unified family identity. 'One day, when we have kids, I would want them to see that we share the same last name as their dad,' she said. The beauty queen described the move as 'a bit of a traditional move for Jeremy,' but noted, 'it doesn't really bother me.' Jeremy is the founder and CEO of the creative agency Beautiful Destinations, currently based in Dubai. The couple, who first confirmed their relationship in 2020, got married on March 24, 2023.
Middle East Eye
30-04-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
UAE launches influencer academy to 'whitewash' country's reputation, say critics
A new influencer academy launched in the United Arab Emirates has been branded the latest attempt to "whitewash" the country's rights record. The new programme, co-founded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and travel content agency Beautiful Destinations, offers media training for "students" to help bolster the tourism industry of the emirate, which has become a hotspot for social media influencers in recent years. Students applying for the company's training programme are given flights and accommodation in a luxury serviced apartment as well as a liveable income for the three-month programme. Participants will be expected to post about their experiences travelling in Dubai, and then awarded a certificate from Dubai College of Tourism. 'The really special ones' are offered a full-time job with Beautiful Destinations at the end. The company's CEO, Jeremy Jauncey, told the Times his agency was "not looking for hosts, we're not looking for presenters, we're not looking for people that want to build a career in front of the camera. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "It's very much about. what's your ability to tell a travel story?" he said. Dubai is 'carefully cultivated movie set' But rights groups and Sudanese activists have called the move another initiative by the Gulf state to improve its image as it faces accusations of facilitating war crimes and genocide in Sudan. Abdullahi Halakhe, senior advocate for East and Southern Africa at Refugees International, said the academy was the latest attempt by the UAE to draw in foreigners who make "no critical examination" of the country to launder its reputation. "It falls within Dubai's usual modus operandi... everything about it is a carefully cultivated, manicured movie set kind of lifestyle," he told Middle East Eye. "Underneath that largely manufactured plastic existence are undeniable, horrendous human rights violations anywhere it has touched over the last 20 years." Earlier this month, the Sudanese government took the UAE to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of violating the Genocide Convention by aiding the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group with whom it has been fighting since April 2023. The UAE denies it provides the RSF with weapons and other means of support. The war in Sudan has killed thousands and displaced over 12.5 million Sudanese, while the RSF have been accused of ethnic cleansing, mass sexual assault and even genocide. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), the RSF's former allies turned enemies, are also accused of widespread rights violations. Halakhe said the UAE's drive to prevent the emergence of democratic states in the region was behind its involvement in the war. "It crushed the Arab Spring, it crashed the emergence of any viable government in Libya, and its latest iteration of that is Sudan," he said. Glitzy or dodgy? The UAE - Dubai in particular - has poured huge resources into cultivating a tourist scene, while TikTok, Instagram and other social media influencers have flocked to its beaches, clubs and resorts. According to the Times, there are 37.9 million videos on TikTok with the hashtag #Dubai, showing off the sights and sounds of the metropolis. The UAE saw a record 18.72 million international visitors last year, while the country has splashed out on numerous sporting events and clubs across the world, as well as tourism advertising that is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in capital cities and online. Revealed: UAE deploys Israeli radar in Somalia under secret deal Read More » However, the media blitz belies the fact that the UAE has repeatedly been accused of employing extrajudicial methods to crack down on dissent within its borders and that its record on human rights has been widely condemned. Scores of political prisoners have been jailed since the 2011 pro-democracy Arab Spring in trials that have been condemned as opaque by monitoring groups. Foreign travellers have been targeted by the authorities as well. British citizens Matthew Hedges and Ali Issa Ahmad were detained in 2018 and 2019 respectively and suffered mistreatment and torture in jail before being released. Another British national, 70-year-old Ryan Cornelius, has spent 16 years in Emirati detention on "dubious" charges related to fraud. When presented with the accusations of human rights abuses in the UAE by the Times, Jauncey - who is British himself - said he was "not familiar exactly with those examples" but said he and his colleagues had "never had any issues at all". MEE contacted Beautiful Destinations Academy for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication. 'Dubai's marketing office offers lie upon lie,' said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, in a statement on Wednesday. 'They tell the world it is safe for solo female travellers, that it is a modern, tolerant country, but behind the curtain is an authoritarian system where tourists can be jailed on a whim,' she added. Her NGO has called for the UK government to change its safety advice on the country. 'This Influencer Academy is just the latest attempt to whitewash a regime that jails people for Facebook posts and punishes victims of crime,' Stirling said.
The Independent
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Dubai has created ‘world first' influencer training programme – here's why
Looking to live the lifestyle of a social media influencer? The 'world's first dedicated training programme' for travel content creators is launching in Dubai. Beautiful Destinations, a travel content platform, seeks to 'build the careers' of a handful of influencers in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (Visit Dubai). The 'Beautiful Destinations Academy' has invited social media users to share their 'visual stories' for a chance to be a part of its inaugural three-month course this May. According to the brand, 76 per cent of travel bookings are now inspired by what holidaymakers see on social media, with ' content creator ' consistently ranking as a dream job for Gen Z. Winter sun, skyscrapers and sand dunes have long established Dubai as an influencer hotspot. The four selected 'creators in residence' will spend 12 weeks training in Dubai, with scheduled workshops, field shoots, and mentorship sessions to 'develop their craft in a real-world setting'. A promotional video by Beautiful Destinations called the programme 'an elite training environment where we invest in you to support Dubai's unparalleled vision for the future of tourism'. On the curriculum: photography and cinematography, editing and colour grading, sound effects, AI tools, industry regulations and lessons in professional development as a travel content creator. The academy includes all expenses and luxury accommodation, a 'generous' salary and 'unprecedented access to locations and experiences' in Dubai. Recruits will be coached by creative and business experts and have their content shared on Beautiful Destinations' social media platforms. The travel platform said that work will involve outdoor activities, remote filming and long hours to capture content at sunrise and sunset. After the course, travel content creators will receive a Certificate of Participation from the Dubai College of Tourism. Applicants must upload a 60-second video on 'travel culture or adventure' on Instagram, tag @BeautifulDestinations @VisitDubai #BDacademy and complete an online form before 24 April to be considered for the first cohort of content creators. Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and founder of Beautiful Destinations, said: 'I want to share what I've learned with the next generation and give others the chance to experience the coolest career in the world. And there's no better city than Dubai - which has inspired Beautiful Destinations' creators since our earliest days - to do this in. You don't need to be an expert to apply – we're looking for raw, hidden talent.' He added: 'We want to equip young people with the skills to build a solid future in travel content creation, to take advantage of this fast-growing sector. You don't need expensive equipment or formal training – just a desire to turn your social media hobby into a dream career.'
Time Out Dubai
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
Dubai launches travel influencer academy: Your need to know
Dubai has launched a travel influencer academy aimed towards bringing more high-quality content to your feed. The new initiative, titled the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai, hopes to 'set new global benchmarks' for travel content as well as help creators with the business side of being an influencer. The academy is the latest scheme designed to bring more influencers to the emirate following the launch of a special content creator golden visa and a Dhs150 million government support fund. Established by Visit Dubai and Beautiful Destinations, the academy will attempt to bring 'structure, credibility and accountability to a previously informal field of work'. In its launch statement, the academy pointed out that 76 percent of travel decisions are now influenced by social media content and the hope is that graduates will be able to produce more high-quality content encouraging visits to Dubai. The Dubai travel influencer academy curriculum Budding content creators will learn valuable marketing lessons as well as creative and commercial skills while enrolled in the programme. The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing outlined the following key modules: Mastery of audio-visual content creation across multiple platforms Cinematography, shots and movement including sequences and transitions All aspects of post-production from editing and grading, to narrative, music and sound design Emerging technologies and VFX including AI-assisted content creation and CGI Strategic understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement Tourism industry knowledge and destination marketing principles Professional ethics and business acumen Students will get hands-on mentorship from top creative and professional experts in the travel sector. Graduates will be awarded with a certificate of participation from Dubai College of Tourism. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), says that the academy should boost Dubai's global appeal. He said: 'The launch of this innovative programme with Beautiful Destinations is a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in the tourism sector. 'By providing a dedicated space for content creators, we aim to amplify Dubai's global appeal and further solidify our position as the best city to visit, live, and work in. 'This aligns perfectly with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and our vision to make Dubai a leading global city for business and leisure. 'Thanks to a diverse range of offerings and experiences, Dubai provides an unrivalled platform for capturing creative, engaging content, and we look forward to working with Beautiful Destinations and content creators from around the world to amplify their storytelling globally.' The Dubai golden visa for content creators The influencer golden visa has been rolled out following the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2025. A Creators HQ was established at Emirates Towers to assist up to 10,000 content creators in their pursuit of long-term residence. It means that online personalities will be able to live, work and create in the UAE without the need for a sponsor. Content creators are able to apply for this golden visa via the Creators HQ website. This application will be reviewed and your eligibility will be assessed under the Golden Visa criteria – Content Creators and Creative Talent Category. In other Dubai news When is the next school holiday in Dubai? There's another break coming soon Coming soon: Dubai to get driverless taxis by 2026 The futuristic plans you need to know about RTA offers free bus service this week Here's how to get involved
The National
22-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Dubai launches academy for travel influencers to ‘amplify global appeal'
Dubai has launched an academy for travel content creators to boost tourism and support digital storytelling projects. It is hoped that the 'Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai' initiative will help promote the city's global image. It will introduce formal standards, structure and accountability to a previously informal field. The curriculum is designed to develop creative and commercial skills combining technical proficiency with marketing principles. After completing the programme, they will be awarded a certificate of participation from Dubai College of Tourism. Influencers interested in enrolling can apply online through the Beautiful Destinations website. The academy session will take place in Dubai from May 2025, lasting three months. 'The launch of this innovative programme with Beautiful Destinations is a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in the tourism sector,' said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. 'By providing a dedicated space for content creators, we aim to amplify Dubai's global appeal and further solidify our position as the best city to visit, live, and work in.' It follows the formation of the Creators HQ earlier this year, which aims to attract 10,000 influencers to the UAE. This will serve to 'empower creators, amplify their impact, and establish sustainable frameworks for the booming creator economy', according to the government. It was established with 100 members drawn from 20 countries, including some of the world's leading content creators as well as those championing the rise of the sector. The hub, launched at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January, will also allow influencers to apply for a 10-year residency golden visa. The initiative has been endorsed by many of the world's most prominent names in the field of written or visual content, including Meta, TikTok, X, Spotter, Creator Now, Tube Filter, Epidemic Sound and the New Media Academy. 'Today we spearhead major efforts dedicated to building a comprehensive content economy that further establishes the UAE's leadership in a field that has become a key driver of the future,' said Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, at the time of the launch. If you are making money through social media in the UAE, you will also need a licence from the National Media Council, which costs Dh15,000 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – but costs can vary depending on the emirate. The standard content creator licence must be renewed each year, which would not be the case for golden visa holders, who would not have to update it during the 10 years of their accreditation. This amounts to a 'huge opportunity for any content creator, in or out of the country', according to Rami Al Asmar, who posts history videos on TikTok and Instagram and spoke to The National during the summit. Coral Stevens, who reviews restaurants and other popular destinations under the handle of dxb-hun on Instagram in Dubai had another perspective, saying that having a golden visa will make it easier to settle for the long term and would ease some financial pressures. 'I'm hoping it will allow more stability as a content creator, and more financial stability. Knowing my future is more long term than having to renew my visa every two years would definitely make me feel more stable. Also, my business licence is very costly at Dh22,000 a year. Having the golden visa could definitely help reduce this cost.' The changes make content creators feel more valued, Ms Stevens said. She added that she wants to apply for the golden visa because it would secure her future in the UAE and enable her to stay long term with her family. 'I'm extremely excited I could apply for it – it's something I'd be so honoured to have,' said Ms Stevens, who has 128,000 online followers. 'I know my page has brought some tourism to the country, and it would definitely be the cherry on the cake, I would feel extremely valued and all the hard work I've put into content would have paid off.' Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, posted on social media platform X last year that the UAE welcomes creators whose work can help create a better life and future. He added the country would build a sustainable economic sector for content creation.
