Ajman Tourism Development Department Highlights the Importance of Innovation in Boosting Local Tourism

The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, organised a lecture on sustainable tourism yesterday, discussing its definition and the development of guidelines through action and research related to all forms and types of tourism development.

The lecture was delivered at the university campus in the presence of graduates and faculty members of the Department of Geography and Urban Planning at the College of Humanities and Social Science.

The initiative is part of the ATDD’s endeavour to gain an insight into students’ perspectives and ideas and develop a stronger student mentality by innovating new tools adapted to the UAE environment, orientations, geography and economy which will in turn meet the aspirations of the country in creating a global sustainable tourism boom, by upgrading the educational outcomes to contribute to boosting the UAE’s tourism sector.

The lecture was given by His Excellency Faisal Al Nuaimi, General Manager of the Ajman Tourism Development Department, who presented the importance of tourism and the projects that must be carried out in order to meet different preferences and tastes and achieve sustainable tourism development in the UAE. He explained the mechanisms of project preparation to suit the geography and locations of the Emirates, by studying the environmental impact of the area and project before executing the project, as well as the importance of the

study of the project’s social and economic impact on the individual, community and government.

Al Nuaimi highlighted the objectives and strategy of the Ajman Tourism Development Department and exchanged views with students who presented their proposed projects for development. He introduced the methods of promoting the points of tourist attractions in the UAE and recommended the steps needed to make the students’ projects a success and contributors to sustainable tourism.

He spoke about the tourism innovations and creative projects adopted by the Emirate of Ajman in terms of locations, facilities and tourist attractions to visitors through the contribution of all sectors. He presented the promotional materials and information adopted and regularly updated by the ATDD.

He presented successful models of sustainable tourism and the foundations upon which they are based in all of the Emirates, particularly in Ajman. He stressed that the success of tourism is largely reliant on the ability to build a solid database of the local tourism sector and holding workshops and lectures to keep pace with the developments at the local and international levels. He advised students to orient their projects to local tourism and to stimulate the local tourism industry by bringing innovative ideas to reality and developing the facilities that must be provided to visitors and tourists.

Faisal Al Nuaimi expressed his content with the meeting stating he hoped the lectures would leave a lasting impact on students and help them develop tourism and geographical projects.

Al Nuaimi met the team members of the UAEU Science and Innovation Park headed by Dr. Shawqi Kharbash, Executive Director and Dr. Khawla Al Kaabi to present the practices of ATDD in Ajman regarding the innovative projects and to discuss ways of cooperation with the UAEU Science and Innovation Park.

About Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD):

Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) was established by His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashed Al-Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman.

ATDD aims to highlight the importance of tourist attractions available in the Emirate of Ajman, and lay down strategic plans for tourism promotion, locally, regionally and internationally, via holding/participating in conferences, exhibitions, and international promotion campaigns. ATDD also works on organizing and developing the tourism industry in the Emirate of Ajman, improving the potentials and services of tourism facilities with the aim of increasing national income.

ATDD is also responsible for preparing legislations, rules and regulations needed to organize and develop the tourism sector in the Emirate in cooperation with competent authorities. It also supervises tourist attractions in the Emirate, and makes sure that the facilities provided go in line with world standards with aim of luring tourists from around the world.

Classification of hotel establishments and facilities and supervising their tourist-oriented services, licensing and classification of tourism and travel agencies and supervising their performance also come high on the agenda of ATDD.