The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) held a graduation ceremony for 53 Emirati students who completed the 2025 edition of its Tourism Youth Summer Camp, this year hosted for the first time in partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches. Held from 14-24 July 2025, the programme offered young Emiratis aged 17 to 21 an immersive experience into Abu Dhabi’s exciting tourism and hospitality industry.
53 students successfully completed the programme it, with more than 1,700 training and interactive hours delivered to the participants.
Supporting Emiratisation efforts within Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector, the annual camp encourages and prepares Emirati students for careers in tourism and hospitality through practical training, engaging workshops, and real-world scenarios. Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches’ state-of-the-art facilities are designed to meet the highest standards of hospitality education, enhancing the learning experience, fostering homegrown talent, and contributing to a sustainable, knowledge-driven hospitality ecosystem. This year, students also participated in a job rotation at Erth Hotel, where they gained valuable insights and on-the-job training.
His Excellency Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our Tourism Youth Summer Camp continues to empower the next generation of Emirati leaders within Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Through a strategic partnership with the renowned Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches and with support from Erth Hotel, this year’s camp delivered an experiential programme that instilled confidence in these young talents to one day represent Abu Dhabi on the global tourism stage – showcasing our authentic Emirati hospitality to the world and strengthening the emirate’s future growth. It gives me immense pride to commend all the participants for their passion and commitment to this year’s programme.”
Shaikha Al Kaabi, CEO of Erth Abu Dhabi, stated: “At Erth, we believe in cultivating the next generation of hospitality leaders through immersive, real-world experiences. We were proud to welcome such passionate Emirati youth and witness their eagerness to learn, contribute, and connect with the essence of authentic Emirati hospitality. From mastering front office service and culinary arts to exploring spa operations and barista skills, their hands-on engagement and innovative spirit truly inspired us. They remind us that the future of our industry lies in deep rooted heritage, service excellence, and the energy of empowered youth.”
Students were introduced to six foundational disciplines within the hospitality sector: Front Office, Culinary Arts, Barista, Housekeeping, Hospitality Marketing, and Service Excellence in Fine Dining. The curriculum was designed to build essential skills such as teamwork, customer service and problem-solving, while fostering an appreciation for the UAE’s identity and its role within the global tourism landscape. The job exposure at Erth Hotel, held over three days, provided students with practical training across various hotel operations, including front desk, guest services, and event management. This hands-on approach was an opportunity for them to gain key insights into the different aspects of the hospitality sector.
Participants were also required to complete a group project centred on real-life cases. This involved identifying gaps within the tourism sector and proposing innovative solutions to these challenges, aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030. The winning group, The Azba Hotel, comprising seven students, presented an outstanding case study to the judging panel, earning them special recognition at the graduation. This panel included representatives from Marriott International, Yas Plaza Hotels, Miral, Erth Hotel, and the National Emirati Talent Competitiveness Programme (NAFIS).
The Tourism Youth Summer Camp is one of many initiatives aligned with the emirate’s long-term strategic objectives under Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.
