Eight Dubai-based certified hospitality trainers (CHT) have undergone a rigorous review process under the leadership of Mr. David Lechter, Vice President International, the American Hotel and Lodging Association.The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) invited Mr. Lechter to review the quality standard for hospitality training with eight training professionals, all of whom have been training from three to thirty years.

Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot, DTCM Executive Director Human Resources and Training Solutions, said, “Following four days of workshops, review sessions and intense studying, the eight candidates sat the four-hour examination of the Certification Board of the Education Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. We are happy to report that our candidates scored very well, with one achieving the highest mark ever recorded on this exam - 96%.”

The Certified Hospitality Trainer is one of the highest certificates for hospitality training outside of an academic institution of the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Educational Institute. With this certification, trainers can confidently train almost all levels of certificate and courses in the AH&LA curriculum.

Two of the candidates co-trained in this intensive review, now are eligible to lead CHT training in the Emirates.

At a ceremony at the DTCM Head Office on July 11, the successful new CHT’s were presented with their diplomas and certification pins by Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, DTCM Director General.

DTCM and the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (EI-AH&LA) signed a strategic partnership last year to offer training and development programmes to the expanding workforce of the booming tourism industry. The agreement makes Training Solutions, the external training arm of the DTCM, the sole licensee for the training programmes and certification process of the EI-AH&LA in the UAE.
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