11-13 May 2025
Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh

NextGen: Investment Forum

11 May 2025, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh

Co-located with:

FHS

Saudi Arabia

Hospitality Education: Challenges

Skill Gap in Hospitality

1 million

new jobs

in tourism by 2030 yet there are skill gaps in specialised areas like hospitality management, digital competencies, and vocational training in tourism.

Women in the Industry

8.1%

of women in entire workforce

the “Regional Report on Women in Tourism in the Middle East” revealed that the proportion of Saudi women employed in the tourism industry in SA is 8.1% of the entire workforce.

Youth Unemployment

16%

unemployment

Despite efforts, Saudi Arabia's youth unemployment rate remains around 16%, with limited vocational pathways in hospitality for young Saudis.

• Our Objectives • Our Objectives • Our Objectives • Our Objectives • Our Objectives • Our Objectives • Our Objectives • Our Objectives

Building a Community of Educators and Industry Experts

Creating a network of hospitality educators, industry practitioners, and potential employers who can collaborate and share insights on best practices, further enriching the learning environment.

Pathways to Career Growth

Creating direct career opportunities through mentorship programs, networking events, and partnerships that connect emerging talent with industry leaders and potential employers.

Bridging the Skills Gap

Offering insights on industry-aligned ducation and practical training tailored to the needs of Saudi Arabia's fast-growing hospitality sector.

Empowering Saudi Nationals

Emphasizing local talent development with a particular focus on increasing female participation in the hospitality workforce, in line with Vision 2030’s inclusivity goals.

Public-Private Collaboration

Fostering partnerships with key government agencies, giga-projects (like NEOM and Red Sea Global), and private sector leaders to align educational programs with real-world industry demands.

Featured Speakers

• Key Components • Key Components • Key Components • Key Components • Key Components • Key Components • Key Components • Key Components

Focus on Education

Saudi Arabia's education sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by a strong demand for both general and hospitality education. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 emphasises the importance of developing a knowledgeable and capable workforce to support the sustainable growth of the hospitality industry. The NextGen Investment Forum aims to address these needs by bringing together key stakeholders.

Partners

We will partner with government entities, giga projects, educational institutions, and international education industry leaders - along with innovative tech companies that are disrupting education through AI, VR and hybrid/remote learning. The forum aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports education and career development.

Public-Private Partnerships

Strong public-private partnerships are essential for driving innovation and investment in education. We will facilitate these collaborations to ensure that educational programs are aligned with industry needs and provide students with the skills required for future job markets.

Solution Driven

The format of this forum is designed to encourage delegates to collaborate and address the most pressing and important questions related to education and training in Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry.

• Key Goals • Key Goals • Key Goals • Key Goals • Key Goals • Key Goals • Key Goals • Key Goals

The NextGen Investment Forum aims to inspire top leaders to come together and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding education, training, and talent retention in Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry.

The afternoon will feature a dynamic series of roundtable discussions centered on key themes:

Investing in Our People for a Future-Ready Hospitality Industry

Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry Needs

Exploring Funding and Investment Opportunities in Hospitality Education

Enhancing the Industry's Appeal to Retain Talent and Reduce Turnover

This engaging format will foster collaboration and actionable insights to shape the future of the sector.

2025 NextGen Forum Programme

EIF Main Stage Program

15:00 - 15:10

Welcome Remarks to NextGen: Investing in Saudi's Hospitality Education

15:10 - 15:20

Keynote - Hospitality Talent in Saudi Arabia: A Data-Driven Overview

15:20 - 15:40

Education Meets Industry - Key Skills for the Future of Saudi Workforce

15:40 - 16:00

Hospitality Workforce of the Future: Anticipating Trends and Building Resilience

Series of Round Tables

Future Stage: Enhancing strategies for talent retention

16:00 - 16:45

How Can We Rebrand Hospitality Careers to Attract Saudi Youth?

17:00 - 17:45

How Can Public-Private Partnerships in Hospitality Training Help Build Saudi Arabia's Workforce of the Future?

Meeting Room 1: Hospitality Education and Real Estate Investment

16:00 - 16:45

Where Are the Investment Opportunities in Hospitality Education Real Estate?

17:00 - 17:45

How Can Student Housing Be Designed to Meet the Needs of Future Hospitality Professionals?

Meeting Room 2: Deep dive into training

16:00 - 16:45

How Can Hospitality Schools Adapt Their Curriculum to Meet Industry Trends and Standards?

16:45 - 17:15

How Can Technology Enhance Hospitality Training and Skill Development?

17:15 - 18:00

What Are the Best Models for Ongoing Professional Development in Hospitality?