The rapid increase in new hotel openings, the flourishing tourism industry, and the escalating demand for luxurious experiences have led to a proliferation of elite international schools specializing in culinary arts and hospitality management in Abu Dhabi. These institutions aim to produce highly skilled professionals. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT – Abu Dhabi) has collaborated with prestigious global brands to establish their campuses in the capital, enhancing the tourism and hospitality talent pool. Notably, Ecole Ducasse Abu Dhabi Studio by Alain Ducasse, a chef renowned for holding 21 Michelin stars, commenced operations at the Cultural Foundation in Al Hosn in December last year. Additionally, Le Cordon Bleu, a prominent culinary education entity, plans to launch its inaugural UAE campus on Saadiyat Island in 2025. Recently, the department and Les Roches Global Hospitality announced the upcoming launch of the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches in Zayed Sports City this September. According to the QS world university rankings by subject, Les Roches Global Hospitality Management Education ranks fifth globally in hospitality and leisure management. Industry leaders have highlighted that Abu Dhabi and the UAE are emerging as significant players in the global hospitality sector, necessitating the preparation of professionals to meet industry demands. Carlos Diez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, emphasized the institution's commitment to bridging the talent gap by producing graduates who are not only proficient in hospitality management but also possess the creativity and adaptability required in the dynamic industry. The hospitality sector in Abu Dhabi has experienced substantial growth, with approximately 24 million visitors hosted last year. The number of hotel guests increased by 27%, and international guests by 54%, contributing about Dh49 billion to the UAE’s GDP. Industry reports predict the UAE’s hospitality market size to reach $7.37 billion in 2024 and $9.46 billion by 2029. This rapid expansion underscores the urgent need for new educational institutions to address the demand for qualified talent in the hospitality sector. Afshan Jivraj, leading a new project at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, emphasized the importance of educational institutes equipping students with fundamental skills and a global perspective to significantly contribute to the hotel industry's success. Chef Francisco Araya, director of the International Centre for Culinary Arts, Abu Dhabi, highlighted the centre's success in training local talents to become entrepreneurs, bloggers, and head chefs. All educational institutes offer a range of short-term courses, bachelor's and master’s degrees, with specialized Emirati-centric courses designed to cultivate a rich pool of local talents.