Orlando, Florida, January 2013—The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, one of the world’s leading hotel schools and a part of the global luxury hotel company Jumeirah Group, recently signed a Global Academic Partner (GAP) agreement with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI).

The agreement establishes a partnership between The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management and the Educational Institute for the delivery of internationally recognized professional certification programs for individuals working in the hospitality industry. 

Widely recognized as the preeminent leader in hospitality certification, EI strongly supports and encourages the certification of hospitality professionals in all facets of the industry, including: hotels, food & beverage establishments, trainers, hospitality educators, hotel suppliers and spas. 

The certification programs that will run at The Academy will initially include Guest Service Gold and the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP), Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS), and Certified Hospitality Department Trainer (CHDT). More programs will be offered over time.  Commenting on the new partnership, Ron Hilvert, Managing Director of The Academy, said, “We are confident that our ability to deliver these programs to the hospitality industry in the UAE will facilitate the continued growth of tourism and enhance the hospitality standards throughout the region.”

Robert L. Steele III, CHA, president and chief operating officer of the Educational Institute, added, “The UAE is noted worldwide for its high standards of hospitality.  The Educational Institute is proud to partner with The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management to offer high-caliber training and professional certification to further advance the level of service delivered by hospitality professionals in this region.”

For more information about EI’s international hospitality education and training opportunities, please visit www.ahlei.org or call +1.407.999.8100.

About the Educational Institute
Established in 1953 as a nonprofit educational foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Educational Institute’s mission is to continue being the preferred provider to the lodging industry, hospitality schools, and related hospitality industries by developing and providing quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals worldwide. Please visit http://www.ahlei.org