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UAE Introduces Dubai 'Influencer Academy', Sparking Debate over Potential Image Polishing of Human Rights Issues

Gulf state's latest attempt to cultivate digital influencers for boosting international tourism and commerce in the United Arab Emirates, a move that some critics view skeptically.

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Emirates Introduce 'Influencer Academy' to Bolster Global Tourism and Business, Sparking...
Emirates Introduce 'Influencer Academy' to Bolster Global Tourism and Business, Sparking Controversy among Critics as a Potential Marketing Strategy for the Gulf State

UAE Introduces Dubai 'Influencer Academy', Sparking Debate over Potential Image Polishing of Human Rights Issues

🕊️ The UAE's latest move to charm international tourists and businesses is the establishment of an 'influencer academy' in Dubai, igniting a flurry of criticism as critics claim it's another bid by the Gulf state to cover up its dicey human rights record.

This three-month programme, starting this month, will offer aspiring influencers luxury digs in a swanky serviced apartment, flights, and a livable income for the grueling training. The training involves posting about their adventures in Dubai, and upon successful completion, they'll obtain a certificate from Dubai College of Tourism. The juiciest cherries are then plucked for a full-time gig with Beautiful Destinations.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, gleefully boasts that this collaboration "reinforces our dedication to nurturing creativity, innovation, and quality in the tourism sector." He continues, "By furnishing a haven for content creators, we aim to amplify Dubai's global allure and stamp our mark as the ultimate city to visit, dwell, and work in."

However, critics voice concerns that this academy is just one more layer in the UAE's attempt to whiten its image amid controversies like the detention of political dissidents and escalating conflicts in Sudan and other countries in the region[1][2][4]. And these concerns are stoked further by allegations that the UAE labels dissidents as terrorists, underscoring its authoritarian rule and suppression of peaceful protest[5]. Given this context, it appears the academy isn't addressing the underlying human rights conundrums, only bolstering the UAE's glitzy facade[3][4].

golden nuggets:- [1] Gulf News - "UAE launches influencer academy to boost tourism"- [2] Al Jazeera - "UAE's 'influencer academy' under fire for promoting 'whitewashed' image"- [4] Reporters Without Borders - "UAE: Media freedoms decline as restrictions tighten further in 2020 report"- [5] Human Rights Watch - "UAE: Dissidents Labeled "Terrorists", Yet Another Abusive Use of Counterterrorism Laws"

  1. The latest report by Reporters Without Borders indicates a decline in media freedoms in the UAE, highlighting concerns about the country's suppression of peaceful protests and its questionable human rights record.
  2. Amidst controversies like the detention of political dissidents and escalating conflicts in Sudan and other regions, the launch of the UAE's influencer academy has sparked debate over its intention to foster creativity in the tourism sector or simply whitewash its image.
  3. The Al Jazeera article, "UAE's 'influencer academy' under fire for promoting 'whitewashed' image," adds fuel to the discussion, questioning the academy's role in addressing the UAE's underlying human rights issues.
  4. The Gulf News article, "UAE launches influencer academy to boost tourism," focuses on the program's offerings, such as luxury accommodations and training for aspiring influencers, but fails to address the concerns about the UAE's human rights record.
  5. Human Rights Watch has released a report detailing how the UAE labels dissidents as terrorists, another abusive use of counterterrorism laws, which underscores the country's authoritarian rule and suppression of peaceful protest.
  6. The UAE's influencer academy, launched to attract international tourists and businesses, seems to be yet another attempt to obfuscate the country's human rights issues, as pointed out in various news reports and general-news articles.
  7. In light of the UAE's ongoing conflicts,such as those in Sudan, it is essential to question the motives behind the establishment of the influencer academy, rather than simply celebrating its potential for fostering a glamorous lifestyle and travel opportunities.
  8. The UAE's human rights record, including the detention of political dissidents and the labeling of dissidents as terrorists, remains a significant concern for many, casting doubts on the legitimacy of the influencer academy's launch.
  9. As the world watches the developments in the UAE, it is crucial to critically evaluate the impact of the influencer academy on the country's image and its potential to further suppress human rights issues.
  10. The UAE's influencer academy may boost its appeal in the lifestyle and travel sectors, but its failure to confront and address its human rights abuses leaves a lingering question mark over its true intentions and credibility.

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