Saudi Arabia Takes the Lead in Tourism Education: A Landmark Partnership with Swiss Experts to Develop National Talent for Vision 2030

Published on November 14, 2025

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a global powerhouse in the tourism and hospitality sectors, thanks to an ambitious partnership aimed at revolutionising the industry. This monumental initiative was launched under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, at the TOURISM 2025 Summit. The collaboration between Sommet Education and Tanmeya Capital is set to reshape the future of the Kingdom’s hospitality industry, aligning closely with the country’s Vision 2030 goals. With the introduction of world-class training and educational programmes, Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in the development of national talent and a robust educational ecosystem for the tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts. This partnership will not only elevate the Kingdom’s status as a regional leader in hospitality but also offer high-quality employment opportunities for Saudi nationals. The educational initiative promises to unlock new doors of opportunity for students, bringing global expertise to the Kingdom, thus strengthening its position on the world map.

This is Saudi Arabia’s bold step forward, setting the stage for a bright future in tourism.

The Saudi-Swiss Partnership: A Historic Milestone

The landmark Saudi-Swiss partnership, announced at the TOURISM 2025 Summit in Riyadh, is an embodiment of the Kingdom’s dedication to developing national talent and building a sustainable future. This alliance brings together Tanmeya Capital, the managing body of the Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund (THTF), and Sommet Education, a global leader in hospitality education. This partnership, with a 25-year agreement, focuses on establishing world-class educational institutions and providing cutting-edge training facilities for students pursuing careers in tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

• 25-year partnership between Sommet Education and Tanmeya Capital.
• Establishment of a national educational ecosystem for the tourism and hospitality sectors.
• Creation of high-quality employment opportunities for Saudis and global students.
• Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Programme.
• Exclusive training and educational facilities aimed at developing future-ready leaders.

This collaboration underlines the Saudi government’s commitment to transforming the nation’s hospitality industry, creating a sustainable educational framework to support its growing tourism sector.

Building National Talent for a Thriving Tourism Industry

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy by focusing on tourism as a key pillar. The partnership between Sommet Education and Tanmeya Capital addresses this vision directly by nurturing and developing the next generation of hospitality professionals. The Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund (THTF), with a value of SAR600 million (approximately EUR 140 million), is set to play a pivotal role in the development of infrastructure and training programmes that align with global standards.

By launching this transformative initiative, Saudi Arabia is investing in its human capital, ensuring that its tourism and hospitality sectors are equipped to meet global demand. This investment in education and training will ultimately serve to elevate the Kingdom as a leading destination for tourism and hospitality in the region.

Key Benefits of This Investment:

• Development of world-class educational facilities in the Kingdom.
• Skill development in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
• Creation of sustainable jobs for Saudi nationals.
• Enhancement of the Kingdom’s international reputation in the tourism sector.

Through this initiative, Saudi Arabia aims to attract international talent while also providing local talent with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.

Transforming Saudi Arabia into a Regional Hub for Hospitality Education

One of the most exciting aspects of the Saudi-Swiss partnership is the development of a comprehensive hospitality and tourism educational ecosystem within the Kingdom. Sommet Education, with its prestigious institutions like Les Roches, École Ducasse, and Glion Institute of Higher Education, will bring a wealth of global expertise to Saudi Arabia, training students in the latest industry trends and best practices.

This collaboration will pave the way for the establishment of new campuses in key locations across Saudi Arabia, including the creation of a new Jeddah campus. This will allow students to gain hands-on experience in world-class training facilities while also fostering an environment that encourages innovation, excellence, and cultural exchange. By attracting both Saudi and international students, Saudi Arabia is solidifying its place as a global hub for education in hospitality and tourism.

Strategic Educational Goals:

• Establishment of globally recognised educational campuses.
• Integration of cutting-edge training in tourism and culinary arts.
• Collaboration with leading international institutions to ensure top-tier education.

By tapping into the expertise of Sommet Education, Saudi Arabia will not only enhance the quality of its educational infrastructure but also encourage the creation of innovative solutions to global challenges within the tourism sector.

A Long-Term Commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Future

This strategic partnership marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality industries. The 25-year agreement ensures a sustained effort to build and maintain a world-class educational ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, which will continue to evolve alongside the nation’s growing tourism sector.

As part of the agreement, Sommet Education will deliver world-class training in areas such as hotel management, culinary arts, and tourism marketing, all of which will equip Saudi students with the skills and experience needed to succeed in a competitive industry. This initiative will also ensure that the Kingdom is not only ready for domestic tourism growth but also for international tourists looking for high-quality experiences.

Long-Term Vision:

• Creation of a robust educational ecosystem that will continue to evolve.
• Sustaining and expanding the reach of educational programmes to match growing demand.
• Reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s global reputation as a leader in tourism and hospitality.

This initiative plays a key role in ensuring that Saudi Arabia is prepared for sustainable growth in the tourism industry and that it remains at the forefront of the sector as it continues to evolve and expand.

The Future of Saudi Arabia’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector

With the Saudi-Swiss partnership and the establishment of world-class educational facilities, the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sector is on the brink of a transformational leap forward. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be a leading destination for high-quality tourism experiences and elite hospitality professionals.

Through the establishment of comprehensive training programmes and the development of state-of-the-art educational campuses, the Kingdom is ensuring that its future tourism workforce will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the rapidly growing global tourism market.

This collaboration is set to create a sustainable and innovative workforce, one that will not only contribute to the success of the Kingdom’s tourism sector but also elevate Saudi Arabia’s profile as a leader in global hospitality.