We sat down with Georgette Davey to hear how more than 30 years of hospitality education across three continents has shaped her perspective on talent development in a rapidly evolving sector. Today, as Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, she is building the first Swiss hotel school in the Middle East at a time when the region is redefining what exceptional guest experience looks like. Davey shares insights on the Academy's mission, the future of hospitality education, and why technology must enhance rather than replace human connection.
What drew you to Abu Dhabi and this new chapter at the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches?
What drew me to Abu Dhabi was the chance to help build something truly pioneering. Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches is the first Swiss hotel school in the Middle East, bringing the rich history of Swiss hospitality education together with the authenticity and warmth of the Emirati hospitality identity. The UAE's rapid growth in the hospitality sector, its vibrant multicultural community, and the ambition of Vision 2030 create an environment with real momentum.
This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a new educational model at the intersection of Swiss academic excellence and Emirati cultural heritage, whilst contributing to the development of local and regional talent through world-class learning. Abu Dhabi's vision to become a global hub for culture, tourism, and innovation further reinforces the importance of this work. For me, Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches represents the next frontier of hospitality education—future-driven, culturally rooted, and globally connected.
The Academy plays a pivotal role in nurturing local and regional talent. What are its key priorities, and how does it align with Abu Dhabi's broader vision for culture, tourism, and innovation?
The Academy was established through a strategic partnership between Les Roches Global Hospitality Education and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, reflecting a clear commitment to developing homegrown talent and elevating tourism standards.
Our mission is to deliver education that blends academic excellence with real-world industry exposure, whilst embedding Emirati hospitality values at the heart of the learning experience. Key priorities include supporting national goals by empowering UAE nationals to assume leadership roles, providing rigorous leadership development alongside career support, such as coaching, internships, and industry placements, and fostering public–private partnerships that drive innovation.
A recent example is the Visitor Experience Academy, launched in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi and announced at Arabian Travel Market 2025. It demonstrates how collaboration between government and industry can elevate tourism objectives and human capital development.
Across the curriculum, Emirati hospitality values are integrated to reflect the UAE’s dynamic cultural landscape, preparing students to deliver experiences that are both authentic and globally relevant.
How do you see hospitality education evolving as technology and sustainability reshape the industry?
Hospitality education is becoming a future-facing discipline where technology, innovation, and sustainability are fully integrated. Technology is no longer simply a tool; it enables creativity, personalisation, and efficiency in guest experiences.
At the Academy, students learn not only how to use technology, but how to lead its ethical and strategic application. Experiential learning, real-time digital tools, and data-driven projects foster both digital fluency and an innovative mindset. Sustainability, meanwhile, isn’t treated as a standalone subject. It shapes how we teach, design, and operate to develop graduates who think responsibly and lead with purpose.
Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches also functions as a knowledge hub for hospitality innovation, with a focus on service design, technology, and customer experience. In February 2025, Aldar launched its internal Customer Experience Academy in collaboration with us, training over 30,000 employees in hospitality mindset and CX excellence. Our curriculum now incorporates AI, digital transformation, data analytics, and entrepreneurial thinking, including the MSc in International Hospitality Management launched in September 2025, alongside courses rooted in Emirati culture and cuisine.
What qualities will define the next generation of hospitality leaders?
Future leaders will need a global mindset, agility, and deep empathy. Hospitality leadership is moving beyond operational excellence towards a more human-centric model that values emotional intelligence alongside technical skill. Navigating diverse markets and multicultural teams requires cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Equally important is the ability to harness technology to enhance experiences and drive innovation, whilst maintaining a balance between high-tech and high-touch. Digital tools should elevate, not replace, the essence of human hospitality.
Leaders who understand the environmental, social, and governance impact of their decisions will also be best positioned to guide the industry towards more responsible business models. Ultimately, hospitality remains about people and experiences, and leadership must reflect that.
What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to leadership roles in hospitality and hospitality education?
The most important thing is to believe in your own voice and vision. Leadership isn’t defined by title, but by the impact you create. Seek mentors and networks that both support and challenge you, and embrace resilience, because leadership is built through continuous learning.
At Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, women represent over 60% of the student body and 62.5% of staff, with more than half in leadership positions. That reflects the inclusive culture we aim to foster. The future of hospitality is diverse and dynamic, and women have a defining role in shaping it. Push your own boundaries, step beyond your comfort zone, and don’t impose limits on yourself.
ABOUT GEORGETTE DAVEY
Georgette Davey is Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, where she leads the development of hospitality education aligned with Abu Dhabi’s cultural and tourism ambitions. She oversees academic strategy, industry partnerships, and talent development programmes designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the global hospitality sector.
Davey brings more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and education, having held senior academic and leadership roles at Les Roches Switzerland, Glion Institute of Higher Education, and École Hôtelière de Lausanne, where she served as Global Managing Director at Glion. She began her academic career at University College Suffolk and played a key role in curriculum development for Les Roches’ Shanghai campus. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of East Anglia and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management from Sheffield Hallam University.
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