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