Hotel staff in Emirati clothing as Abu Dhabi puts UAE culture at heart of hospitality experience
Walking into a hotel in Abu Dhabi will feel distinctly more Emirati next year. A scheme launched by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi will place Emirati culture at the heart of the guest experience when staying in the city. Hotels will have to comply with measures including ensuring guests receive information about the culture and heritage of the UAE , having one employee dressed in…
Starting next year, hotels in Abu Dhabi will offer guests a more distinctly Emirati experience, as part of a new initiative by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The scheme, which will be enforced from the first quarter of 2027, aims to integrate Emirati culture and heritage into the guest experience. Hotels must comply with 20 of 65 Emirati Dhiyafa (Hospitality) Standards, with 10 being compulsory and the remaining 10 left to each property's discretion.
Specific requirements include providing guests with information about the UAE's history and culture, having one employee in Emirati attire to greet them upon arrival, offering at least three Emirati dishes on the menu, and welcoming them with the phrase "Marhaba al-saa" and Arabic coffee and locally produced dates. Hoteliers welcome the move, stating it will enhance the tourist experience by allowing them to embrace local culture.
The initiative is part of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to increase visitor numbers to 39.3 million and raise the hospitality sector's GDP contribution to Dh90 billion by 2030.
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