Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) has introduced new modules on its travel agent training scheme to mark the first year after its launch.

The Abu Dhabi Specialists E-learning Programme, launched in May 2020, has been rolled out in 17 countries so far – including the UK – and has attracted 13,670 applicants, of whom more than 7,000 are now Abu Dhabi Specialists.

It includes promotional offers, workshops and training courses on virtual platforms, designed to educate travel industry professionals, including front-liners, product managers, tour operators, travel agencies and home-based agents about ways to promote Abu Dhabi.

Updates on the destination, invitations to events, and access to marketing toolkits are also given through the programme.

Three new modules focus on Expo 2020 Dubai, which opens on October 1; Abu Dhabi as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) destination; and Abu Dhabi’s culture.

These will be progressively rolled out in different markets and languages.

Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of marketing and tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, confirmed the programme would now be rolled out to Switzerland and Israel.

“We are really heartened by the strong support from the global travel trade for this programme,” he said.

“Despite the last year being an extremely challenging period for the tourism sector, through this innovative programme we have still been able to connect with travel professionals around the world and help them understand why Abu Dhabi is such an extraordinary destination.

“As we open up to travellers from across the world once again, we are confident the programme has increased awareness of Abu Dhabi’s amazing offerings, which in turn will lead to increased sales activity and lengths of stay for visitors.”