The city of Riyadh recently launched a landmark Saudi-Swiss partnership to advance human capital in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The initiative was unveiled during the TOURISE 2025 Summit under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism. This collaboration focuses on innovation, national talent development, and human capital building in tourism, hospitality and culinary arts. The agreement directly supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals to develop capabilities and enhance the national economy’s competitiveness.

The launch took place in the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Yasmine Chatila Zwahlen, the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kingdom. Senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, representatives from Saudi universities, and a group of business leaders also attended the event.

The initiative is led by Tanmeya Capital, which is headquartered in Riyadh. Tanmeya Capital serves as the Manager of the Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund (THTF). This investment vehicle is worth SAR600 million, approximately 140 million euros. The fund is dedicated to developing infrastructure and Saudi talent within the hospitality sector.

Tanmeya Capital has formed a partnership with Sommet Education, the parent company of world-renowned schools. These include Les Roches, École Ducasse, and Glion Institute of Higher Education. These institutions are recognised among the world’s top schools in their respective fields. The collaboration operates under an exclusive 25-year agreement to establish and operate a comprehensive educational and training ecosystem across the Kingdom.

This new ecosystem will train and empower both Saudi and international talent. The education will align with the highest global standards. It is intended to address the growing needs of Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism and service industries. The partnership aims to establish a network of specialised academies and colleges throughout the Kingdom. This will enhance national capabilities and create sustainable high-quality employment opportunities. It will also reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional centre of excellence for hospitality education.

During the summit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Tanmeya Capital and Wadi Jeddah Company. Wadi Jeddah Company is the investment arm of King Abdulaziz University. This agreement is to explore the establishment of a new Jeddah campus. This potential campus would host programmes from Les Roches and École Ducasse. Feasibility studies and required approvals are the next steps.

These agreements form the basis of a nationwide educational network. It will begin in Riyadh and Jeddah, before progressively expanding into the western, southern, and eastern regions. This ensures a comprehensive national reach for specialised tourism and hospitality education.

The initiative is viewed as a pivotal milestone in the Kingdom’s transition towards a knowledge- and skills-based economy. It successfully integrates the public and private sectors with international partners to achieve Vision 2030’s objectives.

Mr. Yassir Al-Sharif, Project Sponsor of the Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund, stated: “We extend our deep appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism for its continued support of national initiatives dedicated to developing and empowering Saudi talent. This partnership reflects a national vision to localise world-class hospitality education within the Kingdom and to enable Saudi youth to acquire skills of the highest international standards. We firmly believe that investing in people is the most sustainable form of investment, and our partnerships with leading global institutions represent a practical translation of this ambitious vision.”

Mr. Mohamed Musaiqer, Chairman of the Board at Tanmeya Capital, added: “Human-capital development in hospitality and tourism is a key pillar of Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Programme. At Tanmeya Capital, we are focused on building institutional strength, developing capabilities, and raising excellence standards for Saudi professionals to enable them to compete regionally and globally. This initiative demonstrates how purposeful national and international partnerships can deliver sustainable social and economic impact.”

Marie-Claude Mathieu, a member of the Sommet Education board and Group General Counsel, also provided comment: “This partnership reflects our continued commitment to building strong, responsible, and forward-looking collaborations that create long-term value. Establishing our flagship campuses in Saudi Arabia is not only an expansion of our educational footprint but also a testament to the trust and shared vision we hold with our partners. Together, we are contributing to the Kingdom’s journey of transformation by nurturing talent and shaping the future of hospitality and service excellence.”

Ahmad Al Sakran, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Tanmeya Capital, said: “The Tanmeya Hospitality & Tourism Fund is a national initiative that combines global excellence with Saudi Vision to prepare a new generation of qualified leaders for the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism industries. Through strategic partnerships with Saudi universities and leading international institutions, we are building an integrated educational ecosystem that will equip Saudi youth with future-ready skills and prepare them to meet the evolving demands of the global marketplace.”

Adrian Artimov, Chief Commercial Officer for Sommet Education, concluded: “We are honored to contribute to the Kingdom’s transformative vision by empowering future leaders in hospitality and culinary arts. With Glion, Les Roches and École Ducasse, we bring globally respected expertise to nurture talent that will drive Saudi Arabia’s booming tourism and service industries.”

Through this collaboration, Saudi Arabia is advancing toward becoming a regional and global hub for tourism, hospitality, and culinary education. This will ultimately strengthen its international standing as a leader in shaping the future of these industries.