Latest news with #BeautifulDestinationsAcademy
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.
Arabian Business
17-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai launches first-ever tourism content creator academy with Beautiful Destinations
Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai) has partnered with Beautiful Destinations to create the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai, a new professional development initiative for travel content creators. The programme aims to establish global standards for travel content creation and address the growing demand for marketing talent in the tourism sector. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS (@beautifuldestinations) Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai) 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.' Dubai Tourism partners with Beautiful Destinations to launch content creator academy He added that the initiative aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and the vision to make Dubai a leading global city for business and leisure. 'Dubai is a leading innovator in tourism marketing – a like-minded partner that shares our future-focused vision. The travel industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in how destinations attract visitors. Leading research shows that 76 per cent of travel decisions are now influenced by social media content, yet only 24 per cent of tourism and hospitality brands have in-house teams capable of creating the calibre of content that drives engagement. The Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai directly addresses this gap by cultivating a new generation of specialised talent,' Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations added. The Academy responds to digital content becoming central to travel decision-making by developing specialist skills needed to create high-impact, platform-native content. This partnership strengthens Dubai's position as a global hub for the creator economy, which Goldman Sachs projects could approach half-a-trillion dollars by 2027. The curriculum will develop both creative and commercial skills, combining technical proficiency with marketing principles. The Academy introduces formal standards for digital creators in tourism, bringing structure, credibility and accountability to what has been an informal field. According to Jauncey, the programme creates 'a new professional category within the tourism ecosystem' with the ambition that 'having Beautiful Destinations Academy certification will become the industry standard for content creators specialising in travel marketing, similar to how other professional designations function in hospitality and tourism management.'
Trade Arabia
17-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Industry-first travel content creator college launches in Dubai
The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), in partnership with Beautiful Destinations, has launched the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai - a pioneering professional development initiative aimed at setting new, global benchmarks for travel content creation and meeting the rising demand for skilled marketing talent within the tourism sector. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), 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.' 'Dubai is a leading innovator in tourism marketing – a likeminded partner that shares our future-focussed vision' commented Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations. "The travel industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in how destinations attract visitors. Leading research shows that 76% of travel decisions are now influenced by social media content, yet only 24% of tourism and hospitality brands have in-house teams capable of creating the calibre of content that drives engagement. The Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai directly addresses this gap by cultivating a new generation of specialised talent." With digital content now central to travel decision-making, the Beautiful Destinations Academy addresses the sector's strong demand for the specialist skills needed to create high-impact, platform-native content required to influence today's travellers. The partnership strengthens Dubai's position as a global hub for the growing creator economy, which, according to Goldman Sachs could approach half-a-trillion dollars by 2027 , and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which is cementing Dubai's status as the world's best city to visit, live, and work in. The Beautiful Destinations Academy in Dubai will set a new global benchmark for quality in travel content creation. By introducing formal standards tailored to digital creators working within the tourism sector, it brings structure, credibility and accountability to a previously informal field of work. The curriculum is designed to develop both creative and commercial skills combining technical proficiency with marketing principles. The Academy represents a significant innovation in the business model of tourism marketing, helping future-proof the industry by fostering a community of specialist and highly-skilled digital talent. It offers destinations and hospitality brands access to a curated network of certified creators while building a sustainable and scalable pipeline of professionals with the digital skills required to meet the sector's evolving demands. A key priority of the programme is nurturing diverse talent from all markets, helping to ensure that tourism marketing reflects a broader spectrum of perspectives and aesthetic approaches.
Hi Dubai
17-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Launches Global Travel Content Academy to Set New Industry Standard
Dubai has unveiled the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai — a first-of-its-kind initiative created in partnership between Visit Dubai and global media brand Beautiful Destinations. The programme aims to raise the global bar for travel content creation and bridge the talent gap in tourism marketing. The academy addresses a growing need for skilled digital creators as social media continues to shape travel decisions. With 76% of travellers influenced by online content and only 24% of tourism brands equipped to produce it in-house, the academy delivers a much-needed solution. It offers a structured curriculum that blends creative and commercial skill-building, from technical content production to strategic marketing. Issam Kazim, CEO of Visit Dubai, said the initiative supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and reinforces the city's position as a global leader in tourism and innovation. 'This academy amplifies Dubai's appeal as the best city to visit, live, and work in by empowering content creators and fostering excellence in the tourism sector,' he noted. Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder of Beautiful Destinations, called the programme 'a fundamental shift' in how destinations attract visitors. He highlighted its role in professionalising content creation and establishing formal standards for an industry that has, until now, operated informally. Set in Dubai, the academy will serve as a global benchmark, supporting the city's rise as a hub for the fast-growing creator economy — expected to reach $500 billion by 2027. It also prioritises diversity and inclusivity, aiming to reflect a wide range of voices and creative styles in tourism storytelling. With its launch, Dubai is not just adapting to change in travel marketing — it's leading it. News Source: Emirates News Agency
