Dubai: The establishment of the UAE Hospitality Union, which aims to position the UAE as a world leader in hospitality services, was announced on Thursday by the Dubai World Hospitality Championship (DWCT).
Launched under the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the union aims to make the local hospitality sector competitive in the international arena.
It hopes to accomplish this by developing the skills and capabilities of the people involved in the hospitality and culinary industries while providing them with the best training in accordance with global standards. The union will also facilitate the exchange of experience and ideas regarding international cooperation and communication.
Ahmad Bin Hareb Al Falahi, President of DWHC, said the union is the ultimate goal of the championship, especially after the UAE won the bid to host Expo 2020 and so is expected to host millions of visitors.
“The hospitality sector plays an important role in strengthening the UAE’s tourism sector. The union will support all efforts aimed at promoting the local hospitality and culinary sectors in the global business sector, media and tourism stakeholders,” he said.
During a press conference, officials said the second edition of the championship is set to take place from October 30 to November 3 at the Dubai Trade Centre.
The championship, which is organised by Za’beel Palace Hospitality, will focus on encouraging Emiratis and Gulf citizens to showcase their cookery skills and promote their products in the market at the event.
This year the exhibition, which will include 400 stalls featuring home products, hospitality products, and creative products is expected to draw 30,000 visitors.
Emirati culture
The event will include programmes, activities and competitions highlighting authentic cooking representing Emirati culture.
DWHC consists of five competitions: the International Competition, the Hospitality Sector Competition, Emirati Competition, Gulf Products Competition, and Gulf Exhibition.
Majid Saqr Al Merri, Director of the Hospitality Sector and International Competition, said in total 12 teams will be participating in the International Competition representing the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.
A total of 1,000 chefs, who work in hotels and restaurants in the UAE will participate in 21 categories, including snow sculpture, shapes made from sugar, chocolate sculpture and wedding cakes.
As for the Emirati Competition, Al Merri said that it consists of four categories: traditional cooking, professionals, amateurs, and young people.
The Emirati competition category will include seven teams made up of ten participants from each of the seven emirates who will compete by preparing ten local dishes.
It will also include four categories — traditional cooking, professional cooking, cooking as a hobby, and cooking for young children.
While the Emirati Heritage Village, which is part of the championship, will have 115 stalls where people can learn more about the UAE culture, and a station where international chefs will provide demonstrations.
New activities to take place at the village at this year’s event will include poetry recitation, majlises, and other cultural and folklore activities.
