Abu Dhabi launches new education tourism

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body which manages the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi, is launching a pioneering industry development initiative which will see the emirate roll out a fully-fledged education tourism strategy.

The ADTA's educational tourism strategy will take a three-pronged approach covering overseas school trips (OST), enrichment or personal development programmes (EPP) and corporate training (CT).

As part of a OST segment pilot programme, 23 students from Singapore's Raffles Junior College – which is recognised as the Lion City's top school with an eminent alumnae including the island state's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and current Premier Lee Hsien Loong - is on a five-day immersion learning mission to Abu Dhabi until March 17.

Their programme includes interaction with students from the UAE capital's Al Ittihad Model School for Boys and Al Shohub School for Girls, both identified by the Abu Dhabi Education Council as candidates for the forging of friendships between the visiting and national students.

“This initiative will both strengthen Abu Dhabi's appeal as a main tourism hub and reinforce its positioning as global aspirational destination,'' explained His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA.

“Educational Tourism as a product and visitor segment has the potential of reaping strong returns for Abu Dhabi through increased visitations and awareness as well as competitive positioning. The student exchange is paramount to the success of this programme as the long-term aim is to have overseas students come to Abu Dhabi and their Emirati counterparts going out to see and interact with the world within an educational context,'' added Al Muhairi.