From traditional dress and Arabic coffee to harees, balaleet and heritage-inspired interiors, Abu Dhabi is putting Emirati culture at the heart of the hotel experience, with full implementation planned for 2027.

Abu Dhabi is turning up the heat on authentic Emirati hospitality.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched sweeping new Emirati Dhiyafa (Hospitality) Standards, setting out how hotels and hotel apartments across the emirate can weave local culture, traditions and national identity into every stage of a visitor’s stay.

And this isn’t just about serving a cup of gahwa (Arabic coffee).

The new framework includes 65 practical standards spanning eight stages of the visitor journey, from the moment guests receive pre-arrival messages to the moment they check out.

Coffee, dates and a traditional welcome

Visitors can expect a stronger taste of Emirati culture throughout their hotel experience, including traditional greetings, Emirati coffee, locally sourced traditional dates and opportunities to discover classic dishes such as harees and balaleet.

The initiative is built around Al Sana’, the traditional Emirati code of etiquette and conduct, with generosity, respect and authentic hospitality forming the backbone of the new standards.

According to DCT Abu Dhabi, the goal is simple: make Abu Dhabi’s cultural identity impossible to miss.

New mandatory requirements

Under the new rules, participating hotels will be required to meet a minimum number of standards, including several mandatory requirements designed to put Emirati culture front and centre.

Among them:

• Hotel websites must provide information about UAE history and culture.
• Pre-arrival messages must tell guests how they can experience the UAE’s culture, heritage and natural environment.
• Welcome areas must always have at least one employee dressed in traditional Emirati attire.
• Guest-facing and food and beverage staff must be able to name and explain at least three traditional Emirati dishes and their role in local dining traditions.
• At least one public guest-facing area must include an Emirati heritage-inspired design element.

20 standards for hotels

Hotels will need to implement at least 20 Emirati Dhiyafa Standards, made up of 10 mandatory requirements and 10 standards selected by the property.

Hotel apartments will follow a more streamlined model, implementing at least 10 standards, five mandatory and five self-selected.

Properties will receive cultural training, implementation guidance and an operational playbook to help them meet the requirements.

The plan is for the standards to be fully implemented across Abu Dhabi in Q1 2027.

A new mark of Emirati excellence is coming

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said the visitor experiences people remember most are often the simplest, from a warm welcome to sharing local traditions and feeling genuinely cared for.

Hotels that go above and beyond could soon have something extra to show for it.

A future Emirati Dhiyafa Mark is planned to recognise establishments that exceed the baseline standards, with three tiers of excellence expected to celebrate the strongest performers.