Hospitality

THE AGILITY AND RESILIENCE OF THE UAE HOSPITALITY SECTOR

Published

3 months ago

April 21, 2026

Words by Professor Scott Richardson, PhD. Academic Dean, Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches

The UAE’s hospitality sector has, despite major unprecedented situations over the last few years, consistently demonstrated strong resilience, supported by strategic planning and long-term investment. This resilience is built on four key factors: continued government support and foreign capital investment in hospitality attractions and large-scale events, strong air connectivity and ease of travel, diversified guest and visitor experiences, and world-class infrastructure. These elements position the nation as one of the most adaptable markets in the world, where operational excellence is reinforced by a highly skilled workforce capable of responding to shifting global conditions with agility and empathy.

The Role of Education in Driving the UAE’s Hospitality Sector

The UAE’s Tourism Strategy 2031 outlines an ambitious vision to increase the sector’s contribution to AED 450 billion in GDP while attracting 40 million visitors annually. Tourism has a direct correlation to hospitality, and the sector is already performing strongly. Over the first nine months of 2025, hotels across the Emirates welcomed more than 23 million visitors, up nearly 5% on the same period in 2024. By late 2025, the UAE’s hotel inventory had reached approximately 1,260 properties with 216,900 rooms, and occupancy reached 79.5% between January and November. Looking ahead, the market is projected to add over 26,000 new hotel rooms across more than 100 projects through 2026, highlighting a substantial development pipeline that will shape the sector’s growth trajectory. As both capacity and demand rise, the focus inevitably shifts towards the people behind the experience, reinforcing the need for a workforce equipped to support this growth and deliver unparalleled visitor experiences.

Educational institutions are uniquely positioned to drive this growth. By embedding real-world training, critical thinking, and adaptability into academic frameworks, they ensure that graduates enter the industry prepared to navigate complexity without compromising on service standards. Through our curriculum here at Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, for example, students not only acquire world-class operational and management skills, but also embrace the Emirati Hospitality Identity in everything they do. They are prepared to deliver service grounded in the warmth of Emirati customs, guest etiquette, and cultural storytelling, while ensuring a modern guest experience. In this way, our graduates are prepared to respond to any operational challenges while meeting the nuanced expectations of a diverse and international guest base.

Industry Collaboration

Collaboration between tourism boards, private-sector operators, and education institutions helps hospitality professionals develop the skills required to navigate periods of uncertainty, while maintaining high service standards. At Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, our programmes are designed in close collaboration with public and private sector partners to support the UAE’s Emiratization goals and larger 2030 Tourism Strategy, empowering local talent with the tools and leadership capabilities needed to shape the future of the nation’s hospitality sector. Emiratis currently represent 41% of the student body, including 21% of BSc students and 59% of MSc students who are Emirati women, underscoring our commitment to advancing inclusive talent development, while supporting long-term workforce stability. As educators, it’s our responsibility to ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom, for our future leaders to grow alongside an industry that continues to evolve quickly.

Looking Ahead: Building a Workforce for a Resilient Hospitality Sector

Agility has become a defining feature of the UAE’s hospitality sector, evident in the way service is delivered, guest expectations are managed, and how teams maintain composure under pressure. The impact of recent regional airspace closures, which left many travelers unexpectedly stranded, highlights this. Hotels across the country worked closely with local authorities to provide extended accommodation and meals for affected travelers at no extra cost, with some properties opening additional rooms, ensuring all guests were looked after. It’s a testament to the sector’s high responsiveness and commitment to guest wellbeing, even in the most unexpected situations.

The UAE’s position as a leading global destination is the result of sustained investment, robust infrastructure, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As the hospitality sector continues to evolve, it is essential to nurture talent that is ready to strengthen that position, responding with agility, professionalism, and genuine care for every guest. By placing education at the center of this progression, we can reinforce the foundation of the sector, equipping our talent to maintain high service standards through periods of change and uncertainty, while supporting the UAE in rebuilding and delivering the world-class hospitality it’s renowned for.

Hospitality

DISCOVER THE PERFECT SUMMER ESCAPE AT ME BY MELIÁ DUBAI

Published

53 seconds ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Summer is officially here, and for those staying in the city, ME by Meliá Dubai invites guests to discover a new season of curated summer experiences launching this July. From exclusive residential long-stay offers and luxurious daycations to rejuvenating spa rituals, the hotel has curated a collection of experiences designed to help guests relax, recharge and make the most of the season.

Stay with ME – Exclusive Long Stay Offer
For those planning a longer stay in Dubai, Stay with ME offers a sophisticated way to experience the city with all the comforts of a beautifully designed home. Starting from AED 13,500 per month, guests can enjoy a seamless extended stay complemented by exclusive perks and signature ME by Meliá Dubai touches.

The offer includes complimentary Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping, ensuring a stress free and connected stay. Guests can also benefit from 30% off spa treatments, Central Restaurant, in room dining, and laundry services. With access to the gym, pool, and sauna, alongside complimentary valet parking, this long stay experience is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in ME by Meliá Dubai’s distinctive lifestyle.

Availability: Extended until end of August 2026
Reservations & inquiries: 04 525 2500 | reservations.me.dubai@melia.com
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

Daycation at ME
Looking to escape for the day? ME by Meliá Dubai is the perfect place for it. Priced at AED 400 per person, guests can relax poolside and completely switch off from the daily hustle and bustle. For those looking to stay active, the experience also includes full gym access, perfect for a morning workout before taking a dip in the pool.

Guests can then retreat from the midday heat with a 45-minute spa treatment of their choice before enjoying a specially curated set-menu lunch at the hotel’s Central Restaurant.

Availability: July – August 2026

Time: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | 6:00 pm -10:30 pm

Rate: AED 400 per person (fully redeemable)

Reservations & inquiries: +971 549917489 | aura.medubai@melia.com

The Cabana Experience

Soak up the sunshine in ultimate style with the Cabana Experience. Perfect for sunbathing, splashing in the pool, or simply lounging in comfort, each cabana is designed to be a private oasis. Standard room guests can enjoy a cabana for AED 250 (for two people), complete with two refreshing beverages of choice, mineral water, cooling towels and a hand fan, plus sun protection by Deeper Beauty to keep everyone perfectly pampered under the sun. Suite guests receive a complimentary cabana with the same indulgent inclusions. Whether it’s sipping a chilled drink poolside, cooling off in the pool, or simply basking in the rays, the Cabana Experience transforms an ordinary day into a sun-soaked escape full of relaxation, fun, and effortless luxury.

Availability: Ongoing

Rate: AED 250 (for two people) – Standard room guests | complimentary for Suite guests.

Included: x2 beverages, mineral water, cooling towels, hand fan and SPF protection.

For reservations and inquiries: +971 54 991 7481

Offer subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

Fee is non-redeemable

Cabana access is limited to a maximum of 2 guests.

Children below 6 years old enjoy complimentary access.

90 Minute Summer Reset – Wellness by ME Spa

Summer has arrived, making it the perfect time to recharge with a bespoke 90-minute spa journey at Wellness by ME Spa. Escape the heat and indulge in a 60-minute aromatherapy massage, followed by a 30-minute body scrub for AED 450. Complete the experience with a complimentary refreshing tea and access to the hotel’s pool, sauna and gym for the ultimate summer wellness retreat.

Availability: The month of July

Rate: AED 450

Reservations & inquiries: spa.me.dubai@melia.com | 04 52 52 500 | 04 52 52 589
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

With a collection of experiences designed to suit every summer itinerary, ME by Meliá Dubai continues to offer guests a contemporary escape in the heart of the city.

Hospitality

MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS AL JADDAF REWARDS LONG SUMMER STAYS WITH 15,000 BONUS MARRIOTT BONVOY POINTS

Published

7 minutes ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

This summer, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf is rewarding its longest-staying guests with something worth settling in for. Guests who stay 30 nights or more, completed before 7 September 2026, will earn a bonus of 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

The offer lands as Dubai’s hospitality market leans further into longer-stay demand and within that expansion, hotel apartments have carved out a distinct niche: business travellers on extended assignments, relocating executives and families settling in for months at a time are increasingly choosing the flexibility of a private residence over a traditional hotel room, a shift that is prompting operators across the city to compete harder for the long-staying guest.

The timing is no accident as Al Jaddaf has recently completed a refurbishment across its residences, refreshing interiors while preserving the warm, residential character the property is known for. Every apartment now also features an in-unit water filtration system for premium drinking water, removing the need for single-use plastic bottles across the building, part of a broader push to make longer stays not just more rewarding, but more comfortable and more sustainable. Beyond the apartment door, residents find a fully equipped gym, two outdoor swimming pools, a Balinese spa, a beauty salon, an ATM and an on-site convenience store, along with five restaurants and lounges that carry them from a business dinner to a relaxed family meal to a quiet evening drink.

The bonus builds on rewards that already come with every stay. Across the Marriott Executive Apartments brand, guests now earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every US dollar spent, while every night counts as one Elite Night Credit towards Marriott Bonvoy status. For those settling in for a month or a full season, a long stay in Dubai becomes a fast track to elite recognition across Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 10,000 hotels worldwide.

“Many of our guests choose to stay with us for months rather than nights, and this summer’s offer is a way of recognising that,” said Saad Al-Ghamdi, General Manager. “The longer a guest makes Al Jaddaf their home in Dubai, the more rewarding the stay becomes, both during their time here and across the wider Marriott Bonvoy programme.”

With monthly and yearly residency arrangements available, guests enjoy the flexibility of a private lease without the setup costs, the paperwork or the compromise on service that usually accompany it.

Set in the heart of Dubai with views over Dubai Creek and the city skyline, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf sits less than 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport. Its fully serviced one, two and three-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens, generous living and dining areas and dedicated workspaces, alongside twice-weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge and security, and in-room dining around the clock.

Reservations

To book the offer, guests can apply promotional code S2449 at marriott.com/DXBHC or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. To explore longer stays at Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf more broadly, please visit marriott.com/DXBHC or contact the hotel at reservations.jaddaf@marriott.com.

Hospitality

MAUSAM CONTINUES ITS REGIONAL CULINARY JOURNEY WITH THE COASTAL FLAVOURS OF PONDICHERRY

Published

47 minutes ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Following the success of its previous culinary showcases, Flavours of Royal India and Taste of Kerala, Mausam continues its regional cuisine series with the introduction of Coastal Flavours of Pondicherry, a limited-time dining experience inspired by the rich culinary heritage of India’s picturesque southern coastline. Set against stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, Mausam offers an immersive setting that complements its authentic regional dining experiences.

Each edition in the series celebrates a different region of India through thoughtfully curated menus that highlight local traditions, distinctive ingredients and time-honoured recipes. This latest chapter pays tribute to Pondicherry’s unique blend of South Indian influences and coastal flavours, bringing together comforting dishes, aromatic spices and fresh produce that define the region’s culinary identity.

Guests can begin their culinary adventure with the fragrant Murungai Lemon Rasam, followed by a choice of the crispy Vazhaipoo Vadai or the flavour-packed Prawns Milagu Varuval. The main course showcases regional favourites including Mutton Takkali Kuzhambu, Chicken Fricassee and the traditional Avial, complemented by Madras Chicken Biryani or Lemon Rice, seasonal vegetables and freshly prepared breads. The experience concludes with a delicate Tender Coconut Custard, offering the perfect sweet finish inspired by the tropical flavours of the region.

Whether discovering Pondicherry’s cuisine for the first time or revisiting familiar favourites, guests can savour an authentic taste of India’s southern coast while enjoying one of Downtown Dubai’s most scenic dining destinations.

Offer: Coastal Flavours of Pondicherry Set Menu
When: 20th July – 31st July 2026
Price: AED 180 per person
Location: Mausam, Dubai Mall

For reservation, please call +971 4 438 4001 or email at emaarhospitalitypr@meansdesign.ae and follow-on Instagram @mausamdubai.