Emirates has opened its Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai to businesses and organisations across the UAE. Companies can now access specialised training programmes previously developed around the airline's premium hospitality standards.
The announcement, made on 9 November 2026, introduces tailored workshops covering customer service, fine dining, gastronomy, leadership and team development. Training programmes last between one and five days, allowing businesses to select courses that match their operational requirements.
Located within the Emirates Crew Training Centre, the USD 8 million facility (approximately AED 29.4 million) features eight technology-equipped classrooms, presentation kitchens and a restaurant and lounge accommodating up to 170 guests.
According to the official Emirates announcement, government entities, universities and regional companies have already participated in external training programmes.
The initiative gives UAE businesses an opportunity to learn directly from Emirates' experience in serving millions of international passengers.
What Is the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence?
The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence is a dedicated hospitality training facility in Dubai. It was originally established to strengthen service standards among the airline's cabin crew.
The centre officially opened in October 2025 as part of Emirates' investment in employee development. Its training programmes draw on Michelin-star hospitality principles, particularly in fine dining, guest communication and personalised service.
On 9 November 2026, Emirates announced that the facility's training programmes were being made available to businesses throughout the UAE. Companies can now arrange workshops for their employees, attend leadership sessions and participate in practical exercises designed around their service requirements.
The initiative goes beyond conventional classroom teaching. Participants can observe how Emirates approaches guest interactions, service presentation and team coordination.
For a hotel, that might involve improving the way reception staff welcome guests. For a restaurant, it could mean refining table service. A retail business might focus on handling customer expectations more effectively.
The centre allows organisations to choose training that addresses their specific service challenges.
In a 30-minute call we map your situation against jurisdiction, activity and cost — no commitment required.
Inside Emirates' USD 8 Million Hospitality Training Facility
The Centre of Hospitality Excellence brings several learning environments together within the Emirates Crew Training Centre.
Its facilities include:
Restaurant and lounge: A dedicated hospitality environment accommodating up to 170 guests.
Eight technology-enabled classrooms: Spaces for presentations, discussions and interactive training.
Presentation kitchens: Facilities where participants can observe culinary techniques and food presentation.
Culinary training hub: A purpose-built space combining features of a professional restaurant kitchen and an aircraft galley.
Practical training environments: Access to selected Emirates training facilities through organised experiences.
The centre allows participants to study hospitality practices in settings that resemble actual service environments.
Emirates also uses the facility to train its cabin crew. Employees participate in immersive dining experiences where they observe service delivery from a guest's perspective. This approach helps them understand how service details influence the overall customer experience.
As explained in Emirates' original facility launch announcement, the centre represents a major investment in the airline's long-term hospitality training strategy.
Hospitality Training Courses Available to UAE Businesses
Companies can choose between structured workshops and customised programmes. Emirates offers training durations of one to five days, depending on the organisation's objectives.
- Hospitality Excellence Programme
This workshop introduces participants to Emirates' House of Hospitality approach. Training begins with an assessment of the organisation's existing service practices and areas requiring improvement.
Participants then complete practical exercises, group discussions and case studies.
The programme may be particularly relevant for hotels, retail companies, tourism operators and other businesses with customer-facing employees.
- 7-Star Dining Experience
The 7-Star Dining Experience focuses on refined food service and guest interactions.
Participants learn about table arrangements, dining etiquette, presentation techniques and anticipating customer requirements. For restaurants, luxury hotels and premium hospitality venues, these skills can help improve consistency in everyday service.
The programme also examines how small service details influence guest satisfaction.
- L'Art du Vin
Emirates' L'Art du Vin programme introduces participants to professional wine education. Delivered by trainers holding Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3 qualifications, the course covers wine theory, tasting techniques and food pairing. Optional guided tasting experiences may also be arranged.
This programme is particularly relevant to hospitality businesses where wine knowledge forms part of the service experience.
- Gastronomy Training
The Gastronomy workshop provides practical instruction in culinary techniques.
Participants work with experienced chefs to explore food presentation, flavour combinations and plating methods. The emphasis is on understanding how preparation and presentation contribute to the dining experience.
Restaurants, hotels and catering businesses may find this programme useful when developing their culinary teams.
- Team-Building Experiences
Emirates also offers customised team-building activities. These involve interactive challenges and culinary exercises designed to improve communication, cooperation and team coordination.
Businesses can tailor the activities to their staff development objectives. For example, a hotel might use the programme to strengthen coordination between front-office and food-and-beverage teams.
- Leadership at Emirates
The Leadership at Emirates programme features discussions and presentations involving Emirates executives. Sessions examine the airline's operational practices, leadership approach and service strategy.
The programme may appeal to managers responsible for large teams, customer experience or service quality.
- Behind-the-Scenes Training Tours
Organisations can also arrange guided experiences within selected Emirates training facilities. These may include visits to aircraft simulators and culinary training areas. Additional catering, photography and videography experiences can be arranged.
The tours provide a closer look at how the airline prepares its employees to deliver consistent service.
- Bespoke Hospitality Training
Businesses with specific training requirements can request customised programmes. Emirates can combine workshops, culinary demonstrations, leadership discussions, service challenges and learner assessments into a tailored experience.
This flexibility allows organisations to concentrate on the areas most relevant to their operations.
Who Can Apply for Emirates Hospitality Training in Dubai?
Emirates has opened its external hospitality programmes to UAE brands, businesses and organisations. The announcement is not limited to airline companies or traditional hospitality operators.
Potential participants include:
Hotels, resorts and hotel management companies
Restaurants, cafés and catering businesses
Travel agencies and tourism operators
Luxury retail brands
Corporate customer service teams
Government organisations
Universities and educational institutions
Event management businesses
The most suitable programme depends on the employees' responsibilities and the organisation's training objectives.
For example, a business operating several restaurants may prioritise dining etiquette and gastronomy. A tourism company may prefer guest engagement and communication training.
Businesses considering entry into the sector can also explore Nexture's guide on how to start a hotel or hospitality business in the UAE.
The guide explains the licensing and operational requirements involved in establishing hospitality businesses.
How Emirates' Training Initiative Supports the UAE Hospitality Industry
The UAE continues to invest in tourism infrastructure, accommodation, visitor experiences and workforce development.
According to the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, the country aims to achieve several major targets, including:
Increasing tourism's contribution to GDP to AED 450 billion.
Attracting AED 100 billion in additional tourism investments.
Welcoming 40 million hotel guests.
Strengthening national tourism capabilities.
These are strategic targets rather than outcomes already achieved.
As the UAE expands its tourism industry, businesses need employees who can meet the expectations of international visitors.
The country already serves customers from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Consistent service standards become particularly important when organisations operate multiple branches or employ large teams.
Emirates' training initiative creates another option for companies seeking structured employee development.
Dubai already has other hospitality education programmes. For instance, Dubai College of Tourism offers industry-focused learning through its Dubai Way programme. Emirates' centre adds a different training environment, drawing on the airline's established approach to premium hospitality.
For entrepreneurs considering tourism-related businesses, understanding service expectations should be part of the planning process.
How Emirates Developed Its Hospitality Training Standards
Emirates' current training approach has developed over several years. In 2020, the airline partnered with Switzerland's École hôtelière de Lausanne, now known as EHL Hospitality Business School, to develop a comprehensive hospitality strategy. The collaboration helped establish four guiding principles within Emirates' customer experience approach: excellence, attentiveness, innovation and passion.
The Centre of Hospitality Excellence now provides a dedicated setting for applying these principles through practical training.
Emirates employs more than 25,000 cabin crew members representing over 140 nationalities and speaking more than 70 languages. New cabin crew complete an intensive eight-week programme covering safety, aviation security, medical procedures, hospitality and service delivery. They also receive continued training as they progress into different cabin classes and leadership positions.
By making selected hospitality programmes available externally, Emirates is extending its established training practices to other industries.
How Can UAE Companies Benefit From the Training?
The practical value of hospitality training depends on how businesses apply what employees learn.
Improving Customer Interactions
Employees who deal directly with customers need to communicate clearly, respond professionally and understand different expectations.
Structured training can help businesses establish consistent approaches to welcoming guests, answering questions and handling complaints.
Maintaining Consistent Service Standards
Businesses operating multiple locations often face differences in service quality. Training managers and employees around shared procedures may help reduce those differences.
For hospitality operators, consistent service is especially important when customers expect similar experiences across different branches.
Developing Supervisors and Managers
Managers influence how employees work and how service problems are resolved.
Leadership training can help organisations review their management practices and establish clearer expectations for team performance.
Strengthening Team Coordination
Guest experiences frequently involve several departments. In a hotel, reception, housekeeping, concierge and restaurant employees may all contribute to a single guest's stay. Better coordination between these teams can reduce delays and communication problems.
However, training alone does not guarantee improved business performance. Companies need to reinforce what employees learn through daily supervision, clear procedures and regular performance reviews.
We’ll model the requirements and send back a single-page breakdown within 24 hours.
How to Book Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence Training
Businesses interested in attending the programmes can contact Emirates directly. The airline has provided a dedicated email address for training enquiries.
Official booking email: HospitalityTraining@emirates.com
Before making an enquiry, companies should identify their preferred training objectives, expected participant numbers and suitable dates.
A practical booking process would involve:
Identifying the service or operational areas requiring improvement.
Selecting relevant training modules from the available programmes.
Contacting Emirates with company details and training requirements.
Discussing programme duration, participant capacity and customisation options.
Confirming availability, pricing and booking arrangements directly with the training team.
Important: Emirates has not published a standard price list for external courses in its 9 November 2026 announcement. Companies should request a quotation before making financial commitments.
The centre offers programmes lasting between one and five days, but the final schedule will depend on the training selected.
Hospitality Training and Business Licensing in Dubai
While hospitality training helps organisations develop employees, operating a hospitality business also requires the appropriate commercial licences and regulatory approvals.
These requirements depend on the business activity. Hotels, for example, must satisfy licensing and classification requirements administered by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
The department's official hospitality services and permits portal explains the processes applicable to hotels and accommodation operators.
Businesses should distinguish between staff development programmes and regulatory obligations. Completing a hospitality training course does not automatically provide a commercial licence or replace mandatory industry approvals.
Entrepreneurs planning a new operation can explore Nexture's company formation and business setup services for guidance on company registration and the appropriate business structure.
Conclusion
The decision to open the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence to UAE businesses creates a new professional development opportunity for organisations focused on customer service.
With an investment of USD 8 million, dedicated training facilities and programmes covering hospitality, gastronomy, leadership and team development, the centre gives companies access to Emirates' established service training approach.
Businesses can choose programmes lasting between one and five days and request tailored experiences based on their operational needs.
For hotels, restaurants, tourism operators and other customer-facing organisations, the initiative offers a practical opportunity to review existing service standards and develop employee skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence?
It is a USD 8 million hospitality training facility located within the Emirates Crew Training Centre in Dubai. It provides practical training in customer service, fine dining, gastronomy and leadership. The centre is now offering selected programmes to UAE businesses.
When did Emirates open the centre to UAE businesses?
Emirates announced the expansion of its hospitality training programmes to UAE businesses on 9 November 2026. The centre itself originally opened in October 2025 for Emirates cabin crew training.
Can companies outside the aviation industry attend Emirates hospitality courses?
Yes. Emirates has opened its programmes to UAE businesses and organisations beyond aviation. Potential participants include hospitality companies, luxury retailers, educational institutions, government entities and customer service teams.
How much does Emirates hospitality training cost?
Emirates has not announced standard public prices for its external hospitality courses. Businesses should contact HospitalityTraining@emirates.com to request programme details and quotations.
How long are the hospitality training programmes?
Training programmes generally last between one and five days. The duration depends on the selected modules and the organisation's requirements.
Where is the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence located?
The centre is located within the Emirates Crew Training Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Companies should confirm the exact arrival instructions when arranging training.
What courses are available at the centre?
Available options include Hospitality Excellence, 7-Star Dining Experience, L'Art du Vin, Gastronomy, team-building activities, leadership sessions, behind-the-scenes tours and customised training programmes.
Does completing Emirates hospitality training provide a business licence?
No. Emirates' hospitality programmes are intended for professional development. Businesses must separately obtain the licences, permits and approvals required for their commercial activities in the UAE.
