Dubai launches travel influencer academy: Your need to know
The new initiative, titled the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai, hopes to 'set new global benchmarks' for travel content as well as help creators with the business side of being an influencer.
The academy is the latest scheme designed to bring more influencers to the emirate following the launch of a special content creator golden visa and a Dhs150 million government support fund.
Established by Visit Dubai and Beautiful Destinations, the academy will attempt to bring 'structure, credibility and accountability to a previously informal field of work'.
In its launch statement, the academy pointed out that 76 percent of travel decisions are now influenced by social media content and the hope is that graduates will be able to produce more high-quality content encouraging visits to Dubai.
The Dubai travel influencer academy curriculum
Budding content creators will learn valuable marketing lessons as well as creative and commercial skills while enrolled in the programme.
The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing outlined the following key modules:
Mastery of audio-visual content creation across multiple platforms
Cinematography, shots and movement including sequences and transitions
All aspects of post-production from editing and grading, to narrative, music and sound design
Emerging technologies and VFX including AI-assisted content creation and CGI
Strategic understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement
Tourism industry knowledge and destination marketing principles
Professional ethics and business acumen
Students will get hands-on mentorship from top creative and professional experts in the travel sector.
Graduates will be awarded with a certificate of participation from Dubai College of Tourism.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), says that the academy should boost Dubai's global appeal.
He said: 'The launch of this innovative programme with Beautiful Destinations is a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in the tourism sector.
'By providing a dedicated space for content creators, we aim to amplify Dubai's global appeal and further solidify our position as the best city to visit, live, and work in.
'This aligns perfectly with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and our vision to make Dubai a leading global city for business and leisure.
'Thanks to a diverse range of offerings and experiences, Dubai provides an unrivalled platform for capturing creative, engaging content, and we look forward to working with Beautiful Destinations and content creators from around the world to amplify their storytelling globally.'
The Dubai golden visa for content creators
The influencer golden visa has been rolled out following the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2025.
A Creators HQ was established at Emirates Towers to assist up to 10,000 content creators in their pursuit of long-term residence.
It means that online personalities will be able to live, work and create in the UAE without the need for a sponsor.
Content creators are able to apply for this golden visa via the Creators HQ website. This application will be reviewed and your eligibility will be assessed under the Golden Visa criteria – Content Creators and Creative Talent Category.
In other Dubai news
When is the next school holiday in Dubai?
There's another break coming soon
Coming soon: Dubai to get driverless taxis by 2026
The futuristic plans you need to know about
RTA offers free bus service this week
Here's how to get involved
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Hayat Dubai: A huge wellness community is launching near Al Maktoum Airport
A massive new wellness-inspired community project has been launched near Al Maktoum International Airport. Spanning 10 million square feet, Dubai South Properties has revealed plans for Hayat near the existing terminal of what will eventually be the world's largest capacity airport. Hayat will feature approximately 2,500 residential units including townhouses, semi-attached and standalone villas, mansions, apartments and hotel apartments. The community will include lush parks, shaded walking trails, family play zones, fitness and wellness facilities, community pools and landscaped gardens. We can also expect to see a retail boulevard packed with shops, cafés and daily essentials within reach at the site. The community is strategically located with easy access to major roads including Al Maktoum International Airport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. Dubai South Properties launches Hayat, a new luxury master-planned community spanning 10 million square feet. The development is located in the Golf District at Dubai South, near the existing terminal of Al Maktoum International Airport. The first phase of the development is… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 30, 2025 Homes will be designed with minimalist architecture, which is hoped to provide a calm living environment for residents. Dubai South is undergoing significant development amid plans to eventually move all Dubai International Airport operations to Al Maktoum International Airport. Recently, a new Dhs150 million drainage project was launched in the area to prevent damage caused by storms. Nabil Al Kindi, CEO of Dubai South Properties, says that Hayat will be designed with the needs of families at its heart. He said: 'At Dubai South, we are committed to developing communities that genuinely enhance quality of life. 'Hayat is one of our largest master-planned developments and supports this vision by providing wellness-inspired living options that meet the needs of modern families. 'We are witnessing growing demand for properties in Dubai South, driven by the area's appeal to investors and residents alike. 'We will continue to launch thoughtfully planned projects that cater to this demand.' The first phase of the development is scheduled to be completed by the first half of 2028. Looking for things to do in Dubai? 112 best things to do in Dubai in 2025 Everything to tick off your Dubai bucket list 50 free things to do in Dubai Feeling the pinch? Enter free things to do Here's how to eat at 10 expensive Dubai restaurants for less Early bird dinners, lunch specials and more
Time Out Dubai
6 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
10 brilliant things to do this Islamic New Year in Dubai
Have you sorted plans for the long weekend yet? The official date of Islamic New Year 2025 is still to be announced based on the next official moon sighting. However, both public and private sectors have had a public holiday confirmed for Friday June 27, meaning we're all getting a three-day weekend. If you like this: Every UAE long weekend in 2025 If you're in need of some inspo on how to spend it, here are some of the best things to get up to over the next few days. The best things to do for Islamic New Year in Dubai Try a night swim at Atlantis The Royal The dreamy pool club at Atlantis The Royal is offering a night swim, where you can take a moonlight dip while watching the fountain (and fire) show. Take a few lengths then relax at a poolside table with a mixed drink or two or the spicy rock shrimp tempura. Letting you sip in style, there will be live DJ sets all the way until 11pm. Dhs150 (non-redeemable). Fri, 8pm-11pm. Atlantis The Royal, (04 426 1600). Have a caviar-hair treatment at ALKEMY (Credit: Supplied) For a spot of luxe pampering, hope into a seat at the ALKEMY salon, nestled into Atlantis The Palm. Offering up the VIP treatment, you can have your hair lathered in a special caviar treatment (plus a blow-dry and trim) for less than Dhs500. You'll be swishing those luscious locks all over the place after this one. Dhs490. Open Sat-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 9.30am-8pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (056 243 9699). Check out a brand-new burger bar Set aside some time in your weekend to check out DIME, one of the coolest new burger spots in town. Forget overwhelming menus, the team here are perfecting just two signature burgers, with everything made in-house – buns, sauces, the works. If you like this: 43 of Dubai's best burgers to try in 2025 Pair it with a side of crispy nuggets and waffle fries and you've got yourself a real treat. Open daily 5pm-1am. Jumeirah Garden City, Al Satwa @dimesburger. Take the kiddos for a free meal (Credit: Supplied) The long-weekend marks the start of the school holidays in Dubai, so this would be the perfect time to entertain the little ones with a fun meal out (that you don't need to pay for). From cheesy pizzas and stacked burgers to delicious dim sums, here are all the best places that kids can eat free this weekend. Join a ladies' night run Credit: Offside Lace up your trainers and join the all-ladies She Dares run club as they take on a 3km route along JBR and back. Start by grabbing your glow sticks and either walking, jogging or running the distance, before all meeting back at Offside sports bar for a bite, three drinks and some live DJs for the rest of the evening. Dhs120. Fri Jun 27, from 7pm. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR @shedaresrunclub (055 862 1967). Treat yourself to a spa-cation (Credit: Supplied) If you fancy a little getaway this weekend, the Address Sky View is offering guests 20 percent off all spa treatments and retail items so you can get your pamper mode on. From a deep hot stone massage looking out over the Burj Khalifa to a detox body wrap, you can definitely switch-off here. Prices vary. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, (04 873 8888). Tuck into lunch at SUSHISAMBA (Credit: SUSHISAMBA) Make the most of your Friday off by heading round to the sky-high Palm Jumeirah restaurant for its Vivo business lunch. Letting you tuck into two courses for Dhs169, dive into a selection of sizzling dishes from salmon tiradito to chicken taquitos, Angus tenderloin and a glazed black cod. Dhs169 (two courses), Dhs219 (three courses). Mon-Fri, noon-3pm. The Palm Tower, (04 278 4888). Have a family day out at Jameel Arts Centre Credit: Jameel Arts Centre Getting the whole family to unleash their creative side, you'll be guided round the Seas are sweet, fish tears are salty exhibition. Then it's time for everyone to get their turn trying their hand at the crafts, from creating tomato face mask to object drawing and printmaking. Free. Sat Jun 28, 11am-4pm. Jaddaf Waterfront, (04 873 9800). Play some Dhs10 games (Credit: Supplied) Celebrating its second birthday, GLITCH is offering up everything from bowling games, adrenaline-pumping laser-tag sessions and even 200 game points for just Dhs10 each. A bargain afternoon activity, head down to the food hall in the Al Ghurair Centre to refuel afterwards. From Dhs10. Jun 27-29, 10am-noon. Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, (04 886 1695). Groove it out at Jev's Coffee Jam Go get your caffeine fix and soak up the vibes with Jev's Coffee Jam, which is taking over Al Quoz spot Verda this weekend. Hosting the session with Breaking Bread, you can meet some cool new people and dance along to DJ sets with tracks from 80s throwbacks to house. Paired with speciality coffee and bites to keep your energy up, you're in for a buzzing afternoon. Sun Jun 29, from noon. Verda, Al Quoz, Looking for things to do in Dubai? 6 places kids eat free in Dubai this long weekend Pocket-friendly meals for all the family 6 brilliant perks to staying in Dubai for summer From four-day weeks to city-wide discounts 9 quirky workouts to try in Dubai this summer Switch up your routine with one of these
Time Out Dubai
24-06-2025
- Time Out Dubai
Islamic New Year: 8 things to do for the long weekend in Dubai
Have you sorted plans for the long weekend yet? The official date of Islamic New Year 2025 is still to be announced based on the next official moon sighting. However, both public and private sectors have had a public holiday confirmed for Friday June 27, meaning we're all getting a three-day weekend. If you like this: Every UAE long weekend in 2025 If you're in need of some inspo on how to spend it, here are some of the best things to get up to over the next few days. The best things to do for Islamic New Year in Dubai Try a night swim at Atlantis The Royal The dreamy pool club at Atlantis The Royal is offering a night swim, where you can take a moonlight dip while watching the fountain (and fire) show. Take a few lengths then relax at a poolside table with a mixed drink or two or the spicy rock shrimp tempura. Letting you sip in style, there will be live DJ sets all the way until 11pm. Dhs150 (non-redeemable). Fri, 8pm-11pm. Atlantis The Royal, (04 426 1600). Check out a brand-new burger bar Set aside some time in your weekend to check out DIME, one of the coolest new burger spots in town. Forget overwhelming menus, the team here are perfecting just two signature burgers, with everything made in-house – buns, sauces, the works. If you like this: 43 of Dubai's best burgers to try in 2025 Pair it with a side of crispy nuggets and waffle fries and you've got yourself a real treat. Open daily 5pm-1am. Jumeirah Garden City, Al Satwa @dimesburger. Take the kiddos for a free meal (Credit: Supplied) The long-weekend marks the start of the school holidays in Dubai, so this would be the perfect time to entertain the little ones with a fun meal out (that you don't need to pay for). From cheesy pizzas and stacked burgers to delicious dim sums, here are all the best places that kids can eat free this weekend. Join a ladies' night run Credit: Offside Lace up your trainers and join the all-ladies She Dares run club as they take on a 3km route along JBR and back. Start by grabbing your glow sticks and either walking, jogging or running the distance, before all meeting back at Offside sports bar for a bite, three drinks and some live DJs for the rest of the evening. Dhs120. Fri Jun 27, from 7pm. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR @shedaresrunclub (055 862 1967). Treat yourself to a spa-cation (Credit: Supplied) If you fancy a little getaway this weekend, the Address Sky View is offering guests 20 percent off all spa treatments and retail items so you can get your pamper mode on. From a deep hot stone massage looking out over the Burj Khalifa to a detox body wrap, you can definitely switch-off here. Prices vary. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, (04 873 8888). Tuck into lunch at SUSHISAMBA (Credit: SUSHISAMBA) Make the most of your Friday off by heading round to the sky-high Palm Jumeirah restaurant for its Vivo business lunch. Letting you tuck into two courses for Dhs169, dive into a selection of sizzling dishes from salmon tiradito to chicken taquitos, Angus tenderloin and a glazed black cod. Dhs169 (two courses), Dhs219 (three courses). Mon-Fri, noon-3pm. The Palm Tower, (04 278 4888). Have a family day out at Jameel Arts Centre Credit: Jameel Arts Centre Getting the whole family to unleash their creative side, you'll be guided round the Seas are sweet, fish tears are salty exhibition. Then it's time for everyone to get their turn trying their hand at the crafts, from creating tomato face mask to object drawing and printmaking. Free. Sat Jun 28, 11am-4pm. Jaddaf Waterfront, (04 873 9800). Play some Dhs10 games (Credit: Supplied) Celebrating its second birthday, GLITCH is offering up everything from bowling games, adrenaline-pumping laser-tag sessions and even 200 game points for just Dhs10 each. A bargain afternoon activity, head down to the food hall in the Al Ghurair Centre to refuel afterwards. From Dhs10. Jun 27-29, 10am-noon. Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, (04 886 1695). Looking for things to do in Dubai? 6 places kids eat free in Dubai this long weekend Pocket-friendly meals for all the family 6 brilliant perks to staying in Dubai for summer From four-day weeks to city-wide discounts 9 quirky workouts to try in Dubai this summer Switch up your routine with one of these
