The desert islands of Abu Dhabi have turned into a hot new tourist spot. Eight kilometres from Abu Dhabi’s western coastline, this is an archipelago of eight natural islands that consist of Sir Bani Yas, Dalma and the Discovery Islands. Now if you haven’t already been, you probably should, but that’s a topic for another article. This article is focused on a community engagement initiative involving the development of what has become Abu Dhabi’s first nature-based tourism destination.
The Desert Islands Education Centre (DIEC) is nurturing Emirati talent by providing the residents of Dalma Island with free vocational education. The centre runs various skills training courses which include English language, Leadership & Management and Computer literacy. They also offer a number of accredited programmes such as the City & Guilds accredited Diploma in Travel and Tourism. A mix of vocational and theoretical training, this course involves internships at Sir Bani Yas Island, which is home to a number of nature-based attractions, including the Arabian Wildlife Park. The aim here is to provide relevant training and education which will enable the local populace to take advantage of the career opportunities emerging from the development of Desert Islands. And in its first year running, it has already made a great impact on the community of Dalma Island.
We spoke to Maryam Ahmed, who took part in the very first Travel and Tourism Diploma that DIEC ran. She is now one of the first five DIEC graduates who work in Tourism at Sir Bani Yas Island. And her enthusiasm for her job is so contagious, she had us asking her to spell the names of the various wildlife she gets to work with, so that we could Google them.
Having completed her degree in Mass Communications at Al Ain, the 24 year-old returned home with a desire to further her personal development. She enrolled on an English course at DIEC, to improve her language skills. ‘I didn’t know about the Travel and Tourism diploma at the time,’ she says. ‘When they told us it was available at DIEC, I was very excited, because I believed it would complement my educational background. I was right. Tourism, to me is about communication. It’s about how to present your culture to others.’
Had Maryam been to Sir Bani Yas Island before she started the course? ‘When I was a child,’ she says. The poetic irony here is that Maryam’s father used to work there. In fact, he was part of the team that was involved in a nature preservation project that Sheikh Zayed himself initiated. Their job was to take care of the first four giraffes on Sir Bani Yas island.
Maryam has not only followed in her father’s footsteps, she’s taken it to another level and has grown particularly attached to the animals she works with at the nature park. ‘I miss them on my days off,’ she giggles, and then goes onto tell us how every day brings a new lesson and a new reason to be in awe. ‘Like the hyrax,’ she says excitedly, referring to what some might call a shrewmouse –which is a small rodent-like herbivore (we had to Google it.) ‘Did you know that the hyrax comes from the elephant family? That’s amazing!’ It certainly is, and it’s news to us as well.
So a beautiful desert island, wild animals, breathtaking nature reserves, what else does a tourist guide’s job at TDIC involve, you’re wondering? Adventure activities, mountain biking, hiking, a nature and wildlife drive – basically everything on offer to the tourists, who Maryam is charged with receiving, hosting and guiding. After all of this, we ask Maryam what she loves most about her job. ‘I take pride in presenting my culture and my country,’ is the response. ‘I love sharing our traditions with our guests, sharing our stories. And I love learning about their cultures and their stories.’
The Desert Islands Education Centre is located on the first floor of Dalma Island Mall. Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am-5.30pm (02 809 5000). For more information visit their website at www.diec.org/en/
