As Dubai prepares to welcome millions of new and repeat international overnight visitors in 2025, and maintain its position as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, the city’s hospitality and tourism sectors will continue to evolve in order to meet the growing demand for an exceptional visitor experience. Fuelled by technological change, the industry is undergoing a significant transformation as it will continue to require a workforce equipped with advanced skills to cater for this rapid growth and the diverse preferences of travels.
With the anticipated surge in tourist arrivals, Dubai’s hospitality sector is leveraging innovation and technology to adapt to the evolving tourism landscape. At the forefront of this transformation is the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), established in 2016 and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). A world-class vocational college, DCT provides innovative, accessible and exceptional education and training that supports people to enter Dubai’s tourism industry, enhance their skills or further advance in their careers. Aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, DCT’s core objectives also support the Education E33 strategy, driven by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), to consolidate Dubai’s status as a global hub for education and innovation.
Training the next generation
From our main campus at One Central in Dubai World Trade Centre, DCT delivers full-time certificate and advanced diploma courses in four core subject areas – tourism, hospitality, culinary arts, and events, paving the way for creating a dynamic workforce for the future. These programs follow the National Qualifications Framework of the UAE (QFEmirates) and are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, empowering students with cutting-edge skills essential for setting industry standards. Showcasing the college’s global appeal, 25 nationalities are currently represented within DCT’s diverse student body.
DCT’s commitment to student success is also driven by the innovative use of technology and a focus on practical, real-world learning. Our digital platforms like ‘Dubai Way’ and ‘Dubai Expert’ are prime examples of how technology is used to enhance the knowledge and skills of tourist-facing staff and international travel agents. More than 190,000 students have passed courses on the Dubai Way platform, with learners now having access to more than 20 different learning paths, all focused on improving their knowledge and resourcefulness. There have also been 50,000 users of Dubai Expert, an interactive platform for international travel agents, used to deliver destination training and enables users to attain certification through a series of interactive games and videos.
DCT’s success is evident in the achievements of our culinary arts students, who won three major awards at last year’s 27th Emirates International Salon Culinaire, including Best Young Chef of the Year, Best Student Chef, and Best Effort by a Culinary School, along with 19 medals.
Collaborations and partnerships
A cornerstone of DCT’s approach is our robust collaboration with the hospitality industry, paving the way for us to reward students with internships, which will also enable us to bridge the gap between classroom-based education and real-world learning. Indeed, providing students with critical hands-on experiences to prepare them for the real demands of their future careers will also accelerate efforts to create the next-generation tourism workforce for Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Anchored by leading industry partners including Gates Hospitality, Hilton, and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, DCT launched the Middle East’s first apprenticeship in Culinary Operations in March last year. The transformative two-year program provides a new source of recruiting and qualifying talent for the culinary industry and also reflects our dedication to supporting the D33 Agenda. This model serves as a blueprint for future apprenticeship programs across various disciplines, with the majority of study being on the job, giving students a powerful springboard for the careers ahead of them.
Another major partnership that we forged in 2024 was with leading online learning platform Coursera. Through this collaboration, we have introduced 16 new courses focused on essential skills in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hospitality marketing, budgeting and events, revenue management, inventory management, front office operations and housekeeping. By leveraging Coursera’s cutting-edge platform and our expertise in tourism and hospitality training programs, the new courses will make a meaningful impact on the careers of learners. DCT is the first UAE academic institution to have programs listed on Coursera, and since launching in late 2024, DCT programs have already seen enrollment cross over 1,000 learners, with consistently strong completion rates.
Innovation and inclusivity
DCT’s instructors are known for their expertise in Dubai’s tourism industry, and are chosen for their combination of experience, teaching ability and maintaining outstanding levels of quality. With an average class size of 16 students, our instructors enjoy great flexibility in giving individual student feedback and supporting them with their career goals.
Industry expertise and knowledge sharing is also a key element of DCT’s online offering, which supports the city’s ambition to provide a world-class travel experience for all visitors. Part of the Dubai Way programme, DCT’s ‘autism and sensory awareness’ and ‘inclusive service’ courses, which are pioneering initiatives in the region, have made a significant impact on the inclusivity of the city’s tourism sector. More than 13,000 individuals have already completed the autism and sensory awareness training course, which supports Dubai’s aspirations to become a Certified Autism Destination™. These initiatives not only improve service inclusivity, but also enrich the city’s tourism appeal.
Through our vocational training and education programmes, online platforms, technology integration, strategic partnerships, and a focus on practical experience, DCT will continue to be at the forefront of innovation, as we continue to prepare a dynamic and resourceful talent pool that is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the industry. As Dubai continues to grow as a leading global city for business and leisure, DCT’s contributions are essential in ensuring that the city’s hospitality sector remains world-class and sustainable. In this era of growth, DCT is not just adapting to change but is setting new benchmarks for excellence.
(Essa Bin Hadher is the CEO of the Economic Strategy Sector, overseeing economic performance, strategic analysis, and Dubai’s D33 goals. He also serves as General Manager of Dubai College of Tourism. Essa holds a BBA from Franklin University Switzerland and an MBA from Business School Lausanne)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TRENDS.