Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 2025: Hilton Hotels in Abu Dhabi announced the launch of EMiRGE – Emirati Grow and Evolve Programme, a comprehensive two-year development initiative aimed at empowering Emirati youth and supporting the UAE’s national Emiratisation agenda. The programme was unveiled during a career fair at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, bringing together industry leaders, government representatives, hospitality schools, and students.
Career Fair Highlights:
The career fair provided UAE nationals with a platform to explore diverse career opportunities across Hilton hotels, including operations, guest experience, commercial functions, IT, HR, and engineering. Students and professionals engaged directly with Hilton’s senior leadership, heads of departments, and existing Emirati team members, gaining valuable insight into career pathways and industry practices.
EMiRGE – Learner to Leader Journey
The EMiRGE programme will guide participants through a structured two-year “learner to leader” journey:
- Learning Phase (0–6 months): Job skills training and foundational learning
- Specialisation Phase (6–12 months): Function-specific training and expertise
- Project Phase (12–16 months): Hands-on experience with live business projects
- Shadowing Phase (16–20 months): Job shadowing of senior leaders
- Mastering Phase (20–24 months): Transition into an independent leadership role
Participants will benefit from competitive roles, attractive benefits and allowances, as well as access to Hilton University, which provides role-specific learning, targeted skills development, and world-class content libraries. Unique perks also include Hilton’s Travel Programme for team members.
“Our vision is to provide sustainable careers to young, aspirational Emiratis in the hospitality industry, guiding them to success through our tailored development plan,” said Loiy Hanna, Cluster Director of HR.
The launch event was attended by distinguished guests including Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, and Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, alongside Hilton’s regional HR leadership and representatives from leading hospitality schools in Abu Dhabi. The day featured keynote addresses, panel discussions with Emirati team members, interactive Q&A sessions, and hands-on workshops.
Hilton has a long-standing global commitment to empowering young people, from its award-winning Passport to Success life-skills programme to the Open Doors pledge, which supported more than one million youth worldwide by 2019. EMiRGE builds on this legacy, bringing Hilton’s expertise and focus on youth development to the UAE with a dedicated pathway for Emirati talent.
“At Hilton, we believe in unlocking the potential of every individual. Being recognised as the #1 World’s Best Workplace inspires us to continue providing Emirati youth with a nurturing environment, meaningful opportunities, and the guidance they need to flourish as future leaders in hospitality,” said Nader Halim, Cluster General Manager for Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WBTM Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton™, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences
“EMiRGE reflects Hilton’s long-standing commitment to youth development, while creating clear career pathways and empowering the next generation of Emirati leaders in hospitality,” he added.
The EMiRGE initiative underscores Hilton’s dedication to building a sustainable, inclusive workforce, and strengthening the role of Emirati professionals in shaping the future of the hospitality industry.
Individuals in Group Photo (Left to Right):
- Praveena Sake – Cluster L&D Manager, Yas Island Hotels
- Ghazlan Albreiki – EHS Coordinator
- Ghaya Alhammadi – HR Coordinator
- Sara Almazrouei – L&D Coordinator
- Ayesha Al Mansouri – Senior Project Lead, Dawamee Program
- Feryal Haddon – Hotel Manager, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Mohammed Al Zaabi – Emiratization and Capability Development Office Director
- H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry – Director General for Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- Nader Halim – Cluster General Manager, Yas Island Hotels
- Eugene Bosman – Regional HR Director, Arabian Peninsula
- Tarek Jarrouje – Interim General Manager, LXR Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi
- Loiy Hanna – Cluster Director of HR, Yas Island Hotels
- Abdulla Alhammadi – IT Coordinator, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Waleed Ali Alsuwaidi – Cluster Sales Manager, Yas Island Hotels
- Unknown Individual
- Rashed Alremeithi – Security Supervisor, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
About Hilton:
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,800 properties and nearly 1.3 million rooms, in 139 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 226 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can
earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Travel with Purpose:
Guided by its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton believes that travel can be a powerful force for good. That belief comes to life through Travel with Purpose, Hilton’s strategy to drive positive impact and deliver lasting value to the people, hotels and communities where we all live, work and stay. Travel with Purpose is good for business – it enables Hilton to unlock doors of opportunity for our people, create more sustainable stays in our hotels that our guest s can feelgood about and build the resilience of our communities while operating responsibly. Since 2022, Hilton has created more than 2.5 million learning and career growth opportunities, reduced carbon emissions and water use across its global portfolio and positively impacted over 7.1 million community members through strategic investments, volunteerism and partnerships. We track, analyze and report the impact of Hilton’s portfolio of hotels through LightStay, our industry-leading sustainability data management platform. Learn more about Travel with Purpose at travelwithpurpose.hilton.com.
About Miral:
Miral is the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, that contributes to the growth of the leisure and entertainment industry and Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification. It conceives, creates, operates, and manages immersive destinations and experiences that attract visitors from across the world to create unforgettable memories, accelerating the realisation of the Emirate’s tourism vision and growth.
Responsible for the development of Yas Island and overseeing Saadiyat Island’s Destination Management Strategy, Miral’s portfolio of world-class assets incorporates entertainment, leisure, culture, sport, dining, retail, and hospitality experiences, aiming to deliver millions of memorable moments for residents and international guests alike. These include Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi; Yas Marina; and Yas Bay Waterfront, home to the UAE’s largest indoor multi-purpose venue Etihad Arena, amongst others. Miral also has several projects being developed on Yas Island and across the emirate, including Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, a Harry Potter-themed land within Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi and a Disney Theme Park Resort.
Miral encompasses three subsidiaries: Miral Destinations, which promotes unique destinations; Miral Experiences, which operates a diverse portfolio of world-class, award-winning immersive experiences; and Yas Asset Management, which operates and manages a portfolio of vibrant destinations including F&B, retail, marinas, and hospitality properties across Yas Island.
