Emirates has opened its $8mn Centre of Hospitality Excellence in Dubai to UAE companies, offering courses modelled on its inflight service, the airline said on November 9.
The centre sits inside the Emirates Crew Training Centre, where the airline’s more than 25,000 cabin crew complete an eight-week programme. Opening it to outside clients turns a crew facility into a service for other employers, in a region where Boeing expects demand for 236,000 new aviation staff by 2045.
The space has a restaurant and lounge seating up to 170 guests, presentation kitchens and eight technology-enabled classrooms. Courses run for one to five days and can be tailored to each organisation.
“Delivering exceptional hospitality requires more than technical training, it demands a deep understanding of people, culture and service excellence,” said Thomas Ney, divisional senior vice president for service delivery at Emirates. “By opening the Centre of Hospitality Excellence to organisations across the UAE, we are proud to share this expertise and help inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.”
Modules include a 7-Star Dining Experience on table settings and etiquette, and L’Art du Vin, taught by WSET Level 3-certified wine trainers. Clients can also book leadership sessions led by Emirates executives and tours of facilities such as the aircraft simulators.
Since launching its external programmes, the centre has hosted government entities and leading universities, Emirates said.
Emirates partnered with Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne in Switzerland in 2020 to develop its hospitality strategy. Its cabin crew come from more than 140 nationalities.
