Emiratis 'are key to success of tourism in UAE'

The UAE's efforts to promote tourism as akey sector to stimulate job growth will succeed only if Emiratis seek jobs in tourism, according to an Emirati cultural consultant. "Emiratis are key to the success of UAE tourism," said Ali Al Saloom, owner and founder of Embrace Arabia, an organisation dedicated to enhancing intercultural relationships and educating newcomers about Emirati culture. "Nobody can host and welcome UAE guests better than a skilled Emirati host. If we want our country to be portrayed in a certain way it is essential that we do it ourselves," he said. Popular misconceptions Article continues below But popular misconceptions about careers in tourism are causing many Emirati youth to overlook rewarding careers in the tourism industry, he said. "Tourism jobs are often overlooked by school leavers because many Emiratis believe the industry involves low pay, irregular working hours and goes against the Emirati religious ethic because hotels serve alcohol," he said. He was speaking on Tuesday at a panel discussion titled ‘Youth Employment in the Arab World: Tourism and the Environment' at World Green Tourism, a conference and exhibition on sustainable tourism at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). Lucrative Al Saloom said some programmes, like those currently offered by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) to increase the number of Emiratis working in the tourism industry can encourage youths to look seriously at a career in tourism, but more work needs to be done. "We will see a huge shift in the industry once Emirati students fully realise that there are lucrative, fulfilling job options available to those who work hard — positions that do not pose challenges to their cultural and religious beliefs," he said. The panel also discussed whether careers being created by the emerging environmental sector are attracting youth. But Al Saloom said that ‘green' matters as a whole are utterly disregarded in the region. "There is not enough emphasis placed on environmental issues at all," he said. "Our ancestors mastered the art of resourceful living but the new generation is spoiled by seemingly endless resources. We need to re-establish respect toward God's creations among our youth."