The Emirati Hospitality Program took a milestone step forward in July 2024, when Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, welcomed its first cohort of graduates at Nad Al Habi Majlis in Saqr Bin Mohammed City. At the meeting, Sheikh Saud described tourism and the hospitality industry as a vital source of cultural exchange and economic support for the UAE.
Sheikh Saud Praises Graduates' Commitment to the UAE
Sheikh Saud hosted the 18 graduates of the Emirati Hospitality Program, a workforce-development initiative designed to prepare Emirati youth for careers in the country's rapidly expanding tourism sector. He commended the graduates for their dedication in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen the UAE's global reputation as a leading travel destination.
The Ruler urged the graduates to step into leadership roles within the tourism and hospitality industry, positioning themselves as key contributors to the nation's economic development.
Career Lab and Les Roches Partner to Advance Emiratization
The Emirati Hospitality Program was launched by Career Lab in cooperation with the Swiss Les Roches University, with backing from the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The program aims to equip young Emirati talent to revitalise the UAE's hospitality sector and build a generation of homegrown industry leaders.
The six-month training course began in January 2024. At its conclusion, all 18 graduates received certificates from Les Roches University during a ceremony attended by representatives from the local tourism authority, hotel industry executives, program sponsors, and the graduates' families.
RAK's Tourism Ambitions Depend on Local Talent
Graduates at the ceremony expressed gratitude for Sheikh Saud's support and for the opportunity the program provided to play a meaningful role in the UAE's national achievements. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority's involvement underscores the emirate's broader commitment to Emiratization in hospitality — a sector where UAE nationals currently remain underrepresented despite ambitious growth targets.
With Ras Al Khaimah recording 1.28 million overnight arrivals in 2024 and targeting a doubling of its hotel room capacity, programs like the Emirati Hospitality Program are central to building the skilled local workforce the emirate needs to sustain its tourism ambitions through 2030.
