almatar Group for Travel and Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the College of Tourism and Archaeology at King Saud University to provide specialized training programs for students from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management. This initiative aims to enhance their skills and prepare them to enter the job market with a high level of competence.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Faisal bin Youssef AlRajhi, CEO of almatar Group, and Dr. Abdullah AlMuneef, Dean of the College of Tourism and Archaeology, representing the Acting University President, Dr. Abdullah bin Salman AlSalman.
Mr. Faisal AlRajhi emphasized that this partnership aligns with almatar’s commitment to supporting education and training in the tourism and archaeology sectors in Saudi Arabia. He stated:
“Through these initiatives, we aim to equip national talents with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the tourism sector, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance this sector’s contribution to the national economy.”
He added that the training programs offered by almatar will cover a wide range of practical and technological skills, including destination management, modern travel technologies, and customer service. These efforts aim to prepare the next generation of leaders in the tourism sector. AlRajhi also highlighted that almatar’s app, the leading travel and tourism platform in Saudi Arabia, will serve as a key tool for providing hands-on learning experiences to the students.
AlRajhi noted the significant focus Saudi Arabia places on developing the tourism sector, with the Ministry of Tourism launching several initiatives to train and employ Saudi nationals in this vital industry. He further stated:
“At almatar, we believe in transferring technological expertise and travel solutions to the younger generation to ensure the sector’s sustainable success and its role in achieving Vision 2030’s objectives of attracting 150 million annual visitors by 2030.”
Dr. Abdullah AlMuneef expressed the College of Tourism and Archaeology’s pride in this partnership, highlighting its importance in fostering collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector to support innovative training programs tailored to market needs. He added that the college is committed to building an integrated educational environment that bridges theoretical and practical learning for optimal student outcomes.
This agreement marks a strategic step in supporting students in tourism and travel, enhancing their readiness to assume future leadership roles. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to developing national talent and driving economic and social development.