Hospitality School sees increase in KSA students

The Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE), one of the world’s leading hotel management schools, has reported a sharp increase in demand from Saudi nationals to enrol onto hospitality courses.

GIHE was recently listed as a recommended school by the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following a visit of representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in France. During the visit the director of academic affairs from the Bureau of Culture Abdulmohsin Al Swailem and the academic affairs manager Said Mazloum learnt about the international hospitality career orientation programs that are available to Saudi Arabian students at the school.

GIHE Interim CEO Michael Huckaby said: “Saudi Arabia is the largest hospitality market in the Gulf Cooperation Council. There is a huge demand for Saudi hospitality professionals in the industry because of the restrictions placed on the number of expatriates who can work in the country.”

“We are honoured to have GIHE recognized by the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The support received by the government scholarships, has made a difference in Saudi nationals wanting to get an unparalleled education in hospitality management at Glion,” added Huckaby.

According to a report by Alpen Capital, tourist arrival to Saudi Arabia are expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of four percent between 2012 and 2022, driven by strong growth across all sectors with occupancies set to jump from 67.5 percent in 2011 to 74.2 percent by 2016.

The Glion Institute of Higher Education offers students a Swiss model hospitality education which combines theory, practice and internships allowing them to develop concrete skills honed in real-world situations for a managerial career in the hospitality industry. According to the school hotel brands such as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International and Hyatt visit Glion every year to recruit students. In June 2013, all of Glion’s hospitality graduates wishing to enter the workforce, or 86% of the class, received one or more job offers even before completing graduation.