New hospitality academy to open in Abu Dhabi this September


Les Roche hospitality academy to launch in Abu Dhabi this September. Image: Supplied

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and prestigious Swiss hospitality management school Les Roches Global Hospitality have announced plans to open a new hospitality academy in Zayed Sports City this September.

Dubbed the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, the innovative new educational institution aims to attract both local talent as well as international students to study hospitality management in Abu Dhabi. It will be housed in a historic building within the popular Zayed Sports City district, known for its athletic events and growing food and beverage scene.

Les Roches brings its 65-year legacy of excellence in hospitality education to the UAE capital with this inaugural Middle East campus. Ranked fifth globally for hospitality and leisure management by QS World University Rankings, the academy looks to equip graduates with the skills needed to thrive in Abu Dhabi’s booming tourism industry.

With nearly 24 million visitors welcomed in 2023, contributing an estimated AED49 billion to GDP, the hospitality sector is a key economic driver for Abu Dhabi. Under the Tourism Vision 2030, plans are in place to attract 39.9 million visitors annually and increase tourism’s GDP contribution to AED90 billion.

HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated that developing local talent and elevating the hospitality landscape are fundamental pillars of these ambitious growth targets. The Les Roches curriculum aims to guarantee a steady talent pipeline upholding Emirati hospitality values and authenticity.

State-of-the-art facilities including a hotel lab, training kitchen and demonstration areas will provide hands-on learning opportunities. Initially offering bachelor’s degrees with plans to introduce masters programs in 2025, Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches is poised to raise the bar for hospitality education in the capital.


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