Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches hosted a forum bringing together 78 industry leaders, sports professionals, educators and stakeholders to examine the growing links between sports, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and live experiences, as demand rises for talent across these sectors.
The event supported
the launch of the academy’s Master of Science in Sports Management & Events
programme, which is scheduled to begin in September 2026.
Discussions focused on
how sport is increasingly evolving beyond competition into a broader
experience-driven industry that contributes to destination development, tourism
growth and economic diversification.
Panel participants
included Nasser Al Tamimi of the International Judo Federation and UAE Judo
Federation, Jessica Smith, Sarra Lajnef-Taylor, founder of SLT Sports, Melita
Moore of the Global Esports Federation, and Nicholas Thomas from Abu Dhabi
Hospitality Academy – Les Roches.
The discussions
highlighted strong growth in sports tourism and events. Global sports tourism
is projected to reach approximately $1.33 trillion by 2032, while the UAE
sports events sector generated around $6 billion in revenue in 2025 and is
expected to grow to $15.6 billion by 2033.
Major events such as the Formula 1 Etihad
Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continue to drive visitor numbers and
international tourism.
"Sport today is no longer defined only
by performance; it is about creating experiences that extend far beyond the
competition itself. This shift is redefining the skills required and opening
new opportunities at the intersection of sport, hospitality and the experience
economy. The launch of our MSc. in Sports Management & Events reflects this
evolution and the growing demand for hybrid, industry-ready
talent," said Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi
Hospitality Academy – Les Roches.
Participants also
explored the UAE’s emergence as a regional sports hub, hosting more than 150
sporting events annually and supporting a rapidly expanding esports sector.
The forum emphasised
the need for education programmes that combine academic learning with practical
industry experience through internships, projects and partnerships. -TradeArabia News Service