Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with travel content creation agency Beautiful Destinations, has unveiled the Beautiful Destinations Academy (BDA), a world first initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of global content creators. This program underscores Dubai's commitment to positioning itself as a leading hub for digital storytelling and creative excellence.
Participants will soon fully immersive in the three-month programme, living and learning in Dubai while capturing travel stories across the city's iconic landmarks, cultural districts, and natural landscapes. From rooftop shoots at the Museum of the Future to golden-hour moments in the Al Qudra desert, the Academy sets the stage for an unmatched creator experience.
The lucky recruits will be coached by creative and business experts to become the next generation of talent bringing stunning travel videos to screens worldwide and embark on a career path with a high earnings potential, all while uncovering the world's most enviable travel experiences.
Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations says, "We started Beautiful Destinations as a passion project with nothing more than a post on Instagram and have grown into a global business, working with the very best in the travel and tourism industry"
"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."
Jeremy Jauncey added: "76% of travel bookings are already inspired by social media content and it's a trend revolutionising the travel industry. 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."
The academy aims to bolster Dubai's tourism industry, which welcomed a record 18.72 million international visitors last year, and recently introduced the golden visa (a new visa that allows creatives to live in the UAE sponsorship-free), along with a Dhs 150 million ($63 million in AUD) government support fund to aid influencers.
These initiatives align with Dubai's economic agenda "D33", which aims to make it one of the top 3 cities for living, investing and working by 2033.
