News / 13 Nov 2025Under the Patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, Raseen and EHL Announce a Strategic Partnership to Develop Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality Sector
Under the Patronage of the Ministry of Tourism
Raseen and EHL Announce a Strategic Agreement, Supported by Hyatt, to Elevate Saudi Arabia's Tourism and Hospitality Sector
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — November 12, 2025
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, and during the Tourize Global Tourism Forum, Raseen, a subsidiary of Al Muhaidib Group, and EHL, the hospitality and business education group (founded as École Hôtelière de Lausanne) announced a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a National Hospitality Training Institute in Saudi Arabia. The initiative aims to equip and empower Saudi youth with internationally accredited hospitality skills and qualifications in line with global standards of excellence.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism; Mr. Suliman AlMuhaidib, Chairman of Al Muhaidib Group; Mr. André Mack, Corporate Ambassador of EHL; Mr. Nezar Weshah and Mr. Aref from Hyatt Hotels; and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Saudi Arabia.
The partnership aims to deliver world-class vocational training programs for the hospitality sector. Under the agreement, EHL will develop the academic framework, curriculum, and grant international certification ; Raseen, as Al Muhaidib Group’s local subsidiary, will manage and operate the training institutes across the Kingdom; while Hyatt Hotels will serve as the industry partner, offering practical on-the-job training and defined career pathways. Al Muhaidib Group and Hyatt co-invested in a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate the Kingdom’s hospitality education landscape, identifying opportunities to establish learning institutions that directly address the growing demand for skilled Saudi talent.
Mr. Suliman AlMuhaidib, Chairman of Al Muhaidib Group, stated:
“We are pleased with this partnership, which reflects the Kingdom’s vision to develop national capabilities, enhance skills, and localize expertise — contributing to the continued advancement of the thriving tourism and hospitality sectors. This initiative aligns with Al Muhaidib Group’s commitment to supporting national development and empowering Saudi talent in line with the leadership’s directives and the goals of Vision 2030.”
Mr. André Mack, Corporate Ambassador of EHL, commented:
“We are honored to bring EHL’s world-class academic standards and hospitality expertise to Saudi Arabia. In partnership with Raseen and with support from Hyatt, we aim to provide young Saudis with globally recognized qualifications and hands-on training that open the door to promising career opportunities both locally and internationally.”
Mr. Nezar Weshah, Regional Representative of Hyatt Hotels, added:
“We take pride in this partnership with Raseen and EHL, which brings global expertise to local operations, creates meaningful career opportunities, and develops the next generation of hospitality leaders across the Kingdom. This collaboration reflects Hyatt’s strong commitment to nurturing national talent and advancing Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry. With six hotels currently operating in the Kingdom and plans to triple its portfolio within five years, Hyatt continues to champion initiatives that empower local professionals and elevate service excellence across the sector.”
Through this partnership, Raseen, EHL, and Hyatt Hotels reaffirm their shared commitment to developing Saudi talent, localizing international expertise, and building an integrated ecosystem for hospitality training, education, and employment, supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality industries.
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About Raseen
Raseen is a dynamic training and education platform that evolved from the Arkan Specialized Training Center, which initially focused on food safety and hygiene training. Today, Raseen operates through 30+ centers across the Kingdom, training more than 300,000 participants annually in over 10 languages, with a strong emphasis on safety and hygiene programs. In line with the governments vision for human capital development, Raseen continues to expand through strategic partnerships in culinary, hospitality, events and entertainment training, as well as standardization, verification, driving certification, IT, professional courses, and language training-positioning itself as a key enabler in upscaling the national workforce.
https://muhaidib.com/en/article/raseen
About EHL
EHL – originally founded as Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne – is a hospitality management and business education group and recognized as the global leader in hospitality. EHL welcomes a student body of 4,000 from more than 120 nationalities across 3 campuses in Switzerland and Singapore.
Our holistic approach to education, a hallmark of the Swiss system, seamlessly integrates academic rigor with hands-on experience and a deep commitment to human connection. At EHL, we educate hearts, hands, and minds. Within our two institutions we shape confident, versatile, and resilient leaders for careers in hospitality and wider experience-driven sectors:
- EHL Hospitality Business School, accredited by AACSB, NECHE and consistently ranked at the top of its field, offering undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs that deliver practical leadership, strategy, and operational insights.
- EHL School of Practical Arts, providing vocational programs in hospitality, boasting expertise from 6 “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” and an awarded and Michelin-starred academic restaurant.
For more than 130 years, we have been committed to leading innovation in the hospitality and services industry with a focus on emotional intelligence and business acumen. At EHL, education is more than knowledge – it’s a transformative experience shared by a community of 30,000 passionate Alumni, who redefine excellence wherever they go.
https://www.ehl.edu/