Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy Les Roches to established at Zayed Sports City.

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Les Roches Global Hospitality Education have unveiled the location for the new Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches. This institution, announced last year with the aim of nurturing homegrown hospitality skills and academic knowledge, will be situated within Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City.

His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted the significance of this development. He stated, "The enhancement of Abu Dhabi’s culinary and hospitality landscape is a key pillar of our roadmap for future growth. With our Tourism Strategy 2030 having set ambitious growth targets for visitation to the emirate, we aim to further elevate Abu Dhabi’s world-renowned hospitality offering and ensure its wide appeal to travellers from around the globe. Building the sector and talent in hospitality is crucial to our vision; the innovative curriculum of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches will guarantee the industry access to a steady stream of homegrown talent and a wealth of expertise, enabling a sustainable hospitality ecosystem."

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Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches Global Hospitality, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "We are thrilled with this new step forward for this ambitious project that will bring our legacy of excellence in hospitality education to the heart of the UAE. Our mission is to prepare students to thrive in a hospitality sector that is future-proof, authentic, and uniquely Emirati," he said.

Founded in Switzerland in 1954, Les Roches Global Hospitality ranks fifth globally in hospitality and leisure management, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023. The new academy aims to attract UAE Nationals and regional talent to Abu Dhabi’s burgeoning hospitality industry.

Set to welcome its first students in September 2024, the academy will initially offer a bachelor’s degree, with plans to introduce two master’s degrees in 2025. These programs will blend traditional hospitality education with specialized UAE-centric courses, providing tailored training to students. Undergraduates will be introduced to Emirati hospitality from their first semester with courses such as Hospitality Discovery Experience in the Emirates, Emirati Hospitality Culture, and Emirati Cuisine and Pastry.

Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, remarked, "Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches will be training and preparing the next generation of industry leaders that uphold the values and authenticity of Emirati hospitality. We are very honoured to be part of this unique journey and contribute to raising the talents of tomorrow for the country."

The academy will feature state-of-the-art facilities designed to meet the highest standards of hospitality education. These include a hotel lab and demo room with a mock reception area, a cafeteria that doubles as a barista and mocktail lab, a training kitchen, an extensive pastry lab, and a 30-seat demonstration lab. These facilities will also be available for rent, providing additional opportunities for students, professionals, and enthusiasts.

The expansion of Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector is a crucial component of the emirate’s strategic plans to meet the targets set out in the Tourism Strategy 2030. This strategy includes welcoming 39.9 million visitors annually and increasing the sector’s contribution to GDP to AED 90 billion by 2030. To support these goals, various development programs have been introduced to attract brands to the emirate and establish training and education facilities. Additionally, new degree programs in key sectors such as culinary, maritime sustainability, and food security are being offered to enhance the emirate’s hospitality offering.

This initiative underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to advancing its hospitality and tourism sectors, ensuring they are equipped with skilled professionals ready to meet the demands of a growing and dynamic industry.