Dubai has introduced the “Beautiful Destinations Academy,” the world’s first dedicated training program for travel content creators. This initiative aims to build the careers of aspiring influencers in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (Visit Dubai).

The academy will host a three-month course starting in May, inviting social media users to share their “visual stories” for a chance to participate. Beautiful Destinations, a travel content platform, reports that 76 percent of travel bookings are now influenced by social media content, making the role of “content creator” a dream job for many in Gen Z.

The program will select four “creators in residence” who will undergo 12 weeks of training in Dubai. Participants will engage in workshops, field shoots, and mentorship sessions designed to enhance their skills in a practical setting. A promotional video highlighted the academy as “an elite training environment where we invest in you to support Dubai’s unparalleled vision for the future of tourism.”

The curriculum covers a range of topics including photography and cinematography, editing and color grading, sound effects, AI tools, industry regulations, and professional development tailored for travel content creators. All expenses, luxury accommodation, a “generous” salary, and exclusive access to various locations and experiences in Dubai will be provided.

Recruits will receive coaching from industry experts and their work will be shared on Beautiful Destinations’ social media platforms. The travel platform has indicated that the work will involve outdoor activities, remote filming, and long hours to capture content during prime times like sunrise and sunset.

Upon completion of the course, participants will earn a Certificate of Participation from the Dubai College of Tourism. To apply, candidates must upload a 60-second video on Instagram showcasing “travel culture or adventure,” tag @BeautifulDestinations, @VisitDubai, and use the hashtag #BDacademy by April 24 to be considered for this inaugural cohort.

According to The Independent, Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and founder of Beautiful Destinations, expressed his motivation by saying, “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.” He emphasized that applicants do not need to be experts, as the program is searching for raw talent and a passion for turning social media hobbies into successful careers.