MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi’s tourism and culture boom is opening more leadership opportunities for women across the hospitality industry, senior executives said on Thursday.
This emerged during the second edition of Hospitality Her Way, hosted by Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches (AHDA-LR) under the theme "Shaping What Comes Next: Women Driving Hospitality Forward".
The event brought together women leaders from the UAE hospitality industry, including Georgette Davey, managing director of AHDA-LR; Emma Campbell, Sector Marketing Director at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi; and Katrin Herz, multi-property general manager of The Abu Dhabi Edition and Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Speakers said Abu Dhabi’s rapid tourism growth, fuelled by new museums, hotels, entertainment destinations and cultural attractions, is creating wider career pathways for women entering the industry.
The panellists encouraged young women to seize these opportunities without being deterred by self-doubt or fear of failure.
“Readiness is overrated,” Campbell said. “Sometimes you just need to push forward and figure it out as you go along.”
The speakers agreed that self-doubt remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing women from pursuing leadership roles. “Be brave. Be bold,” Davey said. “The distance is never too far. If you give yourself that challenge, always take the time to make the attempt.”
The discussion also underscored the role of mentorship, sponsorship and workplace flexibility in helping women advance into senior positions.
In an interview with Aletihad, Davey said hospitality careers in the UAE are attracting more women as the industry expands beyond traditional hotel roles into what she described as the wider “experience economy”.
“When we talk about hospitality now, it’s much broader than hotels and restaurants,” she explained. “It’s tourism, events, museums, entertainment and customer experience.”
She said Abu Dhabi’s cultural growth and expanding visitor economy are reshaping perceptions of hospitality careers among young people, particularly women.
“We only have to look at the museums opening, the growth across Yas Island and the expansion happening across the city,” she said. “The opportunities are endless.”
The academy, which opened in Abu Dhabi in September 2024 under Swiss hospitality institution Les Roches, currently has 148 students representing more than 35 nationalities across its bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
Women account for 61% of students at the academy, while 55% of leadership positions are held by women, according to figures shared with Aletihad.
Notably, Emiratis make up about 42% of the student body.
Davey added that the academy has integrated Emirati hospitality values such as generosity warmth, and welcoming approach to guests, into its curriculum.
“What we eventually want is for Emirati hospitality to travel around the world as well,” she said.
The academy prepares students for leadership roles through requiring the completion of at least two six-month internships during their bachelor’s degree, according to Davey.
She noted that Abu Dhabi has a strong ecosystem for both education and career development in the industry.
To young women seeking leadership roles in hospitality, Davey said: “Take opportunities as they come, and don’t be discouraged by rejection or setbacks.”
“You can build a career as high as you choose, as long as you keep pushing forward,” she added.