Melissa Lee Price
Zayed University

Noela Michael
Zayed University

Visitors to Dubai typically get their information from a Google search or consultingTripAdvisor when seeking recommendations on what to see and do. Thus, the “tourismmessage” tends to shift to user-generated content from a visitor’s, rather than a local’s,perspective. Visit Dubai, the official enterprise website for Dubai tourism wishes to promote Dubai as a cultural heritage destination. Taking this as the “brief,” two media production classes at Zayed University built unique interactive web experiences from Emirati student perspectives. What emerged were “local” perspectives on popular tourist destinations and activities as well as some recommendations that do not make it onto tourism websites. By tying the brief to a societal need, students envisioned the work they could do upon graduation and their roles as professionals. Also, as “proof of concept,” the student websites provide analternative and legitimate voice to the spectrum of visitor information available on the weband one that could be harnessed to promote Dubai’s tourism attractions internationally, butwith a “local” flare.

Key words: Tourism education, Dubai, tourism marketing, interactive website, social media, Emirati, culture, heritage