Historic Saudi-Swiss Partnership to Enhance Tourism and Hospitality Education in Saudi Arabia

On November 13, 2025, at the 'TOURISE 2025' summit in Riyadh, a significant partnership was unveiled, significantly impacting the educational and professional landscape of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The collaboration, led under the auspices of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism, represents an ambitious initiative aimed at developing national talent and establishing a comprehensive educational ecosystem

The Alliance Between Saudi and Swiss Institutions

This historic partnership merges the expertise of Tanmeya Capital, which manages the Tanmeya Hospitality and Tourism Fund (THTF). THTF boasts an investment capacity of 600 million Saudi Riyals (approx. 140 million euros) specifically dedicated to nurturing talent and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector, with Sommet Education, a renowned Swiss educational group that includes prestigious institutions like Les Roches, École Ducasse, and the Glion Institute of Higher Education.

Under a unique 25-year exclusive agreement, both parties will collaborate to develop and operationalize a robust training and educational ecosystem within Saudi Arabia. This initiative is designed to equip both local and international talents with world-class skills, meeting the increasing demand across the tourism and service sectors in the Kingdom.

A Vision Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Future

The timing of this partnership is pivotal as it aligns seamlessly with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and enhance the human capital available in critical areas such as tourism and hospitality. The collaborative efforts are expected to create sustainable, high-quality jobs while positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional hub of excellence in hospitality education.

An agreement was also signed during the summit between Tanmeya Capital and Wadi Jeddah Company, the investment arm of King Abdulaziz University, exploring the establishment of a new educational campus in Jeddah. This addition is anticipated to further boost educational opportunities and attract talent to the region.

Statements from Leadership

Mr. Mohamed Musaiqer, Chairman of Tanmeya Capital, emphasized the importance of human capital development in hospitality and tourism, stating, 'This partnership underscores how ambitious national and international collaborations can produce lasting social and economic impacts.' Adding to this, Mrs. Marie-Claude Mathieu, a member of Sommet Education’s board and its General Counsel, expressed, 'Establishing our flagship campuses in Saudi Arabia highlights the shared vision we have with our partners to cultivate talent and shape the future of excellence in hospitality and service professions.'

Conclusion

This collaboration marks a crucial milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey towards a knowledge and skills-based economy, merging public-private sectors with international expertise to train the leaders of tomorrow for the thriving tourism and hospitality industries. As the country continues to evolve and attract global attention, the impact of this partnership is anticipated to ripple across both the local and international stages of education and employment.

For further details, please visit Sommet Education and Tanmeya Capital.