Fifty young nationals, all aged 18-21, have graduated with flying colours from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authoritys (TCA Abu Dhabi) annual Tourism Youth Summer Camp.

The graduates received their certificates at a special awards ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal hotel on Thursday August 20.
"Our aim is to inspire participating students to consider a career in the tourism sector and understand the role the industry plays in the economic well-being of the emirate, said Fatima Al Melhi, Industry & Tourist Guide Training Unit Head, TCA Abu Dhabi.

At this final ceremony, we asked our students who were assigned to work experience roles in different hotels across the city to present what they learnt to us and the rest of the Summer Camp, added Al Melhi. Some used pictures and slides, some used video clips or presentation slides, and then we selected the most creative and informative presentation and handed out an additional award. We then had a fun top-up quiz where we asked tourism and hospitality questions on what the students have been learning during the past two weeks. After this we presented the students with their graduation certificates

The interactive and informative ceremony proved to be a fitting end to a fascinating journey for the students.
"Im studying finance at the college and wanted to try something different this summer, so i joined the programme and was amazed to know how a hotel's finance department operates, said Omran Yaaqoub, a 23-year-old student at the Men's Higher College. The Tourism Youth Programme was really one of the best experiences I have gone through."
Zayed University student Abdulaziz Manaee Salmeen was also impressed, saying: The highlight of the past three weeks was learning the complex dynamic back of the house operations at hotels.

It was really fascinating and mind changing experience which made us appreciate the hospitality industry, added the 23-year-old.
And Sara Al Saieiri, a 20-year-old student from United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, agreed and was inspired after the Programme.
"I spent the summer work placement at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where all the staff were very helpful, friendly, and work in an amazing teamwork spirit; I would love to be one of the team," she said.

The ceremony also rounded off an action-packed programme where the students, as well as being given a work placement in a leading Abu Dhabi hotel for eight days, also enjoyed a number of workshops at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, covering a range of topics from culture, hospitality, events, attractions, sports tourism, entertainment and entrepreneurship as well as having talks from leading industry experts from the likes of Flash Entertainment one of the three key event delivery partners for the ongoing Abu Dhabi Summer Season, Yas Island, Farah Leisure and Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management operators of the Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
There was also time in the packed schedule for field trips to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Manarat al Saadiyat.

Its important that the students experience all aspects of our unique cultural heritage and world-class attractions, as well as some of the more operational aspects required to inspire visitors to experience our destination of distinction, said Al Mehli.
And 22-year-old Nasser Al Mansouri from Zayed University epitomised the result the programme was aiming for, saying: After completing this three weeks programme, I can say that now I look at the tourism and hospitality sector from a different angle.
Learning the hotel operations has really changed my idea about this sector; I love how every employee is focused on getting the job done with a smile on the face," he added.