#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Sommet Education #Tanmeya Capital

Saudi-Swiss Partnership to Elevate Tourism and Hospitality Education

In a significant announcement made under the patronage of His Excellency Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister for Tourism, a groundbreaking partnership between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland was unveiled at the "TOURISE 2025" summit in Riyadh. This collaboration aims to foster innovation, nurture national talent, and build human capital within the tourism, hospitality, and culinary sectors, in direct alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

The partnership brings together Tanmeya Capital, the manager of the Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund (THTF), which is an investment vehicle worth 600 million SAR (approximately 140 million euros), dedicated to the development of Saudi talent and infrastructure in hospitality. Alongside Tanmeya, Sommet Education joins this exclusive 25-year agreement, seeking to create and manage a comprehensive educational system within the Kingdom.

This initiative is envisioned to equip both Saudi and international talents with premier qualifications, addressing the burgeoning demands of Saudi Arabia's tourism and service industries. By doing so, it will also create quality employment opportunities and strengthen the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for hospitality education and tourism.

During the summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Tanmeya Capital and Wadi Jeddah Company, the investment arm of King Abdulaziz University, to assess the feasibility of establishing a new campus in Jeddah. Mohamed Musaiqer, Chairman of Tanmeya Capital, stated, “Developing human capital in the hospitality and tourism sector is one of the key pillars of Vision 2030 and the human resources development program. This partnership demonstrates how targeted national and international collaborations can achieve sustainable social and economic impacts.”

Marie-Claude Mathieu, Board Member and Group General Counsel of Sommet Education, added, “The establishment of our flagship campuses in Saudi Arabia symbolizes the shared vision we have with our partners to nurture talent and shape the future of hospitality and service excellence.”

This collaboration represents a milestone for Saudi Arabia in its journey toward a knowledge- and qualification-based economy, seamlessly connecting the public and private sectors with global expertise to nurture sustainable leaders for the thriving hospitality and tourism sectors of the Kingdom.

This partnership stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating the importance of educational and vocational training in developing a workforce ready for the demands of a rapidly evolving industry landscape. With the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, this historic collaboration can set new benchmarks for educational excellence and professional expertise in the region, ultimately contributing to the Kingdom's economic diversification goals.

For further information, please visit Sommet Education or Tanmeya Capital.