ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is celebrating the graduation of 92 Emirati students from the 2026 Tourism Youth Summer Camp (TYSC), its flagship youth development initiative designed to prepare the next generation of Emirati talent for careers across Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
The two-week programme was delivered across locations in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region in partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches.
The immersive programme combined practical training, industry placements and mentoring, giving participants first-hand insight into the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality industry, which is one of the emirate’s fastest-growing economic sectors.
Participants completed more than 7,360 hours of practical learning through hotel rotations, workshops, educational visits and direct engagement with industry leaders.
The curriculum introduced students to different roles and career pathways across Abu Dhabi’s tourism ecosystem and equipped them with practical skills, professional confidence and an understanding of the sector’s contribution to the emirate’s economic growth.
During the programme, students gained practical experience across six key areas of the hospitality sector, including front office operations, culinary arts, barista skills, guest relations, hospitality marketing, and visitor experience.
Participants also visited some of Abu Dhabi’s leading cultural and tourism destinations, where they were given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to museums and heritage sites.
These visits provided valuable insight into destination management and demonstrated how Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy translates into practice across the emirate’s cultural and tourism facilities.
The programme concluded with a final practical project, where student teams applied their knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges in the tourism sector before presenting their ideas to a panel of industry experts.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General, Tourism Sector DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Developing Emirati talent is central to the long-term growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector. Through the Tourism Youth Summer Camp, we are giving young people meaningful exposure to the industry, helping them to understand the opportunities it offers and build the skills and confidence to pursue them.
“By creating a strong pipeline of national talent, we are ensuring that Emiratis are equipped to lead and shape the sector as Abu Dhabi continues to evolve as a global tourism destination.”
Through the partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, students benefited from internationally recognised hospitality training, state-of-the-art facilities and exposure to global best practices, complementing their practical industry experience.
Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, said: “The future of hospitality will be defined by the calibre of talent we invest in today. Preparing the next generation requires more than technical expertise. It demands curiosity, adaptability, cultural intelligence and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.
“We are proud to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi to nurture Emirati talent that will go on to lead with purpose, redefine guest experiences, and contribute to the continued growth of Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector.
“Initiatives such as these are instrumental in developing future leaders who will augment the UAE’s position as a global hospitality destination. At Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, we are fostering an environment where innovation, excellence and lifelong learning remain at the heart of everything we do.”