Abu Dhabi Hotels to Adopt New Emirati Hospitality Standards

Hotels and hotel apartments across Abu Dhabi will begin adopting a new set of Emirati Hospitality Standards from the first quarter of 2027, bringing more elements of local culture and tradition into the guest experience.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said the framework includes 65 standards covering eight stages of a guest’s stay. Requirements include serving traditional Emirati coffee and dates, offering local dishes made with UAE-sourced ingredients, and incorporating aspects of Emirati heritage and history into hotel experiences.

Reception and guest-service employees will also be required to undergo training on the UAE’s culture, history and heritage.

The standards were developed with the National Projects Office and support from the National Identity Committee of the Federal National Council for Empowerment of Emirati Human Resources and Society.

The framework forms part of wider efforts to make Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector feel more distinctively rooted in local identity, while supporting the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030.