Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is set to launch a new initiative, Rowad Al Seyaha, which has been designed to offer Emirati entrepreneurs, both experienced and aspiring, the chance to develop their ideas for potential business start-ups.

A first-of-its-kind in the capital for the leisure market, the competition, which focuses on developing creative leisure business ideas in Abu Dhabi, has gained support from a number of government entities including The Khalifa Fund, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Department of Economic Development and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi – who will be offering guidance to the winning projects.

The only parameters for the competition, which is exclusively open to UAE nationals, are the idea needs to be a brand new leisure project concept, should have a global appeal to attract locals as well as tourists, be applicable to one or both of either The Corniche (zone 1) and/or Eastern Mangrove (zone 6).

The four-stage competition starts off with a free one-day workshop, taking place on December 14 at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which encompasses a Q&A session with senior government officials and group workshops, where participants will be given advice on how to think creatively and develop their business ideas.

Judges will shortlist the most outstanding project ideas to progress to the next stage, said the statement from TCA Abu Dhabi.

Over the following six weeks, the shortlisted participants will have the chance to take part in a complimentary coaching programme where they will develop their project idea into a tangible product, and submit their final business plans by January 25.

A panel of expert judges will then review these plans and the best ideas will be selected for a final presentation on February 2. The winner(s) will be announced in the middle of February.

On the new initiative, Sultan Al Dhaheri, the acting tourism executive director at TCA Abu Dhabi, said: "It is mainly to help our home-grown entrepreneurs develop ideas into successful business ventures and to enhance the visitor experience in Abu Dhabi and benefit the emirate."

"Entrants will receive sound business advice and knowledge from industry experts and have the chance to present their idea before key market players," he stated.

“We hope people take advantage of this superb opportunity which could lead to their hard work and ideas being turned into reality while improving Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination of distinction,” he added.

Mouza Obaid Al Naseri, the director of Entrepreneurship Development Department in Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: "We work to spread the culture of entrepreneurship and encourage the Emiratis youth to start up their own businesses. The Fund is keen to prepare the appropriate environment for the SMEs growth and development."

"The Fund is interested in supporting the unique business ideas in tourism sector, that reflect the tourism and civilized sides of Abu Dhabi," he added.-TradeArabia News Service