Hospitality Union established to make UAE a leader in industry

Leaders in the hospitality sector announced plans to establish a union that would help employees in the industry hone their skills.

DUBAI // Hospitality-sector leaders are establishing an organisation that will develop skills for employees working in the industry.

Zaabeel Palace Hospitality is launching the UAE Hospitality Union to position the country as a world leader in the sector, it said on Thursday. The group provides services to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, as well as the Royal family.

Hospitality employees must “strengthen the education sector, establish national brands specialising in hospitality, support the industry to gain a foothold in the regional and international markets, and offer professional trainings to UAE nationals,” said Ahmed bin Hareb Al Falahi, the general manager of Zaabeel Palace Hospitality and president of the Dubai World Hospitality Championship.

“The trainings will enhance their creative skills, enabling them to compete globally while promoting UAE’s traditions,” said Mr Al Falahi.

The union is the first of its kind and will play an important role in strengthening tourism to the country, officials from the hospitality championship said.

The decision comes as part of directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.

The second Dubai World Hospitality Championship starts on October 30 and runs until November 3. It aims to preserve and cultivate the national tradition of hospitality.

This year’s competition, organised by Zaabeel Palace Hospitality and held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will feature an Emirati team to encourage UAE nationals familiar with the country’s cuisine.

It includes five competitions and will highlight UAE and Arabian Gulf heritage and culture.

Twelve teams will take part: the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

About 1,000 UAE chefs are expected to take part compared with 400 last year. The Emirati competition includes four categories: traditional cooking, professionals, amateurs and young people.

Three world records were set last year: the largest serving of Aseeda, at 2.8 tonnes; the largest serving of pickled vegetables, at 1,570 kilograms; and the world's largest chocolate truffle mosaic, at 404 square metres.