Abu dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has celebrated the graduation of 92 Emirati students from the 2026 Tourism Youth Summer Camp (TYSC), its flagship youth development initiative designed to prepare the next generation of Emirati talent for careers across Abu Dhabi's tourism and hospitality sectors.
According to Emirates News Agency, the two-week programme was delivered across locations in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain Region, and Al Dhafra Region in partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches. The immersive programme combined practical training, industry placements, and mentoring, providing participants with first-hand insight into the breadth of Abu Dhabi's tourism and hospitality industry, which is one of the emirate's fastest-growing economic sectors.
Participants completed more than 7,360 hours of practical learning through hotel rotations, workshops, educational visits, and direct engagement with industry leaders. The curriculum introduced students to different roles and career pathways across Abu Dhabi's tourism ecosystem and equipped them with practical skills, professional confidence, and an understanding of the sector's contribution to the emirate's economic growth.
Throughout the programme, students gained practical experience across six key areas of the hospitality sector, including front office operations, culinary arts, barista skills, guest relations, hospitality marketing, and visitor experience. Participants also visited some of Abu Dhabi's leading cultural and tourism destinations, where they were given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to museums and heritage sites, providing valuable insight into destination management.
The programme concluded with a final practical project, where student teams applied their knowledge and skills to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges in the tourism sector before presenting their ideas to a panel of industry experts. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General, Tourism Sector DCT Abu Dhabi, stated the importance of developing Emirati talent for the long-term growth of Abu Dhabi's tourism sector.
Through the partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches, students benefited from internationally recognized hospitality training, state-of-the-art facilities, and exposure to global best practices. Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches, emphasized the critical role of nurturing Emirati talent in defining the future of hospitality and contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector.
The Tourism Youth Summer Camp is part of DCT Abu Dhabi's wider commitment to developing Emirati talent and creating clear pathways into careers across the emirate's tourism and hospitality sectors, supporting the long-term development of the talent base needed to deliver the ambitions of the emirate's Tourism Strategy 2030.