What Abu Dhabi hotels will soon have to offer every guest

Abu Dhabi will soon enforce new hospitality standards for hotels, requiring establishments to incorporate Emirati culture and traditions into the guest experience from early 2027. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has developed the Emirati Hospitality Standards, a framework of 65 measurable requirements covering eight stages of a visitor's journey, from pre-arrival communication to departure.

The initiative aims to establish a consistent approach to Emirati hospitality across the emirate's accommodation sector, blending cultural values such as generosity, respect, and attention to guests into practical operating standards.

Developed in collaboration with the National Projects Office and the National Identity Committee of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, the standards emphasize the importance of national identity in Abu Dhabi's visitor experience. Rather than treating Emirati culture as an optional add-on, the framework seeks to make these principles an integral part of how properties receive, inform, and serve guests.

The Emirati concept of "Al Sanaa," encompassing customs and social etiquette related to hospitality and courtesy, will be incorporated into various touchpoints between visitors and accommodations.

Key requirements include providing guests with information about the history and culture of the UAE on their property websites, offering guidance on experiencing the country's culture, heritage, and natural environment before arrival, and ensuring at least one staff member at the reception area wears Emirati national dress. Guest-facing employees, including restaurant staff, will receive training on introducing and explaining at least three traditional Emirati dishes.

Hotels will also be required to incorporate at least one design element inspired by Emirati heritage into a public area used by guests.

The framework is flexible, allowing properties to implement at least 20 standards, including 10 mandatory requirements and ten chosen by the property. Hotel apartments will follow a simplified framework with five mandatory standards and five selected by the property. Participating establishments will receive detailed implementation guidance, specialized training in Emirati culture, and a comprehensive operating manual to ensure consistent application of the standards.

This initiative is part of Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to grow the tourism economy while enhancing the destination's appeal through its cultural identity. By integrating Emirati traditions into the hospitality sector, Abu Dhabi seeks to differentiate the visitor experience in a competitive global tourism market, presenting national culture as a component of the emirate's soft power.

The standards will be fully implemented across Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2027, and the Department plans to introduce an Emirati Hospitality label recognizing properties that exceed the minimum standards, with three levels of distinction to encourage additional measures and competition based on the depth of cultural experiences.