The Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches Podcast brings you inside the heart of the UAE’s fast-evolving hospitality landscape. Each episode connects students, industry leaders, and global experts to explore the trends, skills, and stories shaping the future of hospitality.
From luxury brands redefining service, to innovators driving sustainability, technology, and guest experience, the podcast showcases the voices behind the region’s most dynamic hotels, restaurants, tourism initiatives, and experiential ventures.
Whether you’re a student taking your first steps into the industry or a seasoned professional ready to level up, this podcast is your gateway to practical insights, career inspiration, and real-world learning straight from the source.
Tune in to learn, grow, and connect with the people shaping hospitality across Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and beyond.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches Podcast brings you inside the heart of the UAE’s fast-evolving hospitality landscape. Each episode connects students, industry leaders, and global experts to explore the trends, skills, and stories shaping the future of hospitality.
From luxury brands redefining service, to innovators driving sustainability, technology, and guest experience, the podcast showcases the voices behind the region’s most dynamic hotels, restaurants, tourism initiatives, and experiential ventures.
Whether you’re a student taking your first steps into the industry or a seasoned professional ready to level up, this podcast is your gateway to practical insights, career inspiration, and real-world learning straight from the source.
Tune in to learn, grow, and connect with the people shaping hospitality across Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and beyond.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this live episode from Career Day at the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches, host Juliette Nicholls sits down with Rory Coote, Corporate Director of Learning and Development at Rotana Hotels, one of the region’s most respected homegrown hospitality brands.
Founded in Abu Dhabi and built on warm Emirati hospitality, Rotana has grown from a family-rooted concept into a major player across the Middle East. Today, Rory shares what makes the brand unique, how it protects its cultural DNA while expanding internationally, and what students, graduates and future talent need to succeed.
In this episode...
• The origins of Rotana as a homegrown Emirati brand and how its cultural DNA shapes the guest experience
• Why authenticity and genuine personality matter more than technical skills
• How to show your spark at a career fair or internship interview
• The importance of building a true sense of belonging from day one
• How Rotana develops talent through powerful learning pathways, cross training and long-term progression opportunities
• Why so many colleagues stay 10, 15, even 20 years and rise into leadership roles
• A real success story from a La Roche student whose attitude, proactivity and maturity stood out immediately
• The future of hospitality in a world of AI, and why human connection will always remain at the heart of great service
• Rotana’s growth philosophy for the next five to ten years: quality over quantity
• Why patience is the foundational skill every hospitality student should master
Recorded live during Career Day, this conversation brings together industry experience and academic preparation to help young hospitality professionals understand what truly matters when starting a career. Whether you are stepping into your first internship or planning a long-term path in hotels, this episode offers honest insights into culture, growth and the future of hospitality in the UAE.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this live episode from Career Day at the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches, host Juliette Nicholls sits down with Ziad Makhlouf, Vice President of HR at Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), one of the UAE’s most established hospitality groups.
With 50 years of experience and a portfolio spanning hotels, transport, catering, retail, facilities management and more, ADNH plays a major role in shaping the region’s tourism landscape. Today, Ziad shares what truly makes a student, graduate or intern stand out, and how the next generation can build meaningful, future-ready careers.
In this episode...
• The 50-year journey of ADNH and how diversified business pillars give them a competitive edge
• Why emotional intelligence, soft skills, and multicultural communication matter more than ever
• How Gen Z’s digital fluency is reshaping HR, service, and guest experience
• The balance between AI, digitalisation and the irreplaceable human touch
• What “ambitiously patient” really means, and why it’s crucial for long-term career success
• Real success stories, including Emirati graduates who have risen to leadership roles
• The UAE’s unique position as a global hub for innovation, agility and hospitality excellence
• The future of the sector over the next 5–10 years - technology, empathy, and growth
• The one skill every graduate should master: entrepreneurship
Recorded live during Career Day, this conversation bridges classroom learning with the realities of the hospitality world. Whether you're a student preparing for your first internship or a young professional navigating early career choices, this episode offers invaluable insights into what employers are really looking for, and how to position yourself for success in a rapidly evolving industry.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.