Dusit Thani College (DTC), Thailand's premier hospitality education institute, has partnered with Alkhaleej Training and Education to introduce its Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration marks DTC's first global licence partnership and is a significant step in its international expansion efforts.
The TOP programme, set to launch in January 2026, is designed to prepare Saudi talent for entry-level roles in the hospitality sector within six months. It combines over 280 hours of intensive practical learning with a two-month classroom phase, followed by a guaranteed four-month internship at leading hotels. The programme will be delivered exclusively at Alkhaleej's state-of-the-art training centre in Riyadh.
Dr Atthawet Prougestaporn, Rector of Dusit Thani College, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "Introducing our TOP programme to the Saudi Arabian market marks another important step in our mission to make high-quality hospitality education accessible to all."
Alkhaleej will also offer specialised short courses and B2B upskilling programmes to meet evolving market needs. Graduates seeking further education can pursue degree-level qualifications at Dusit Thani College's Bangkok campus.
John Lohr, Executive Director of External Affairs at DTC, expressed optimism about the partnership's potential, noting, "By licensing TOP to esteemed international partners such as Alkhaleej, we aim to support national tourism strategies and strengthen local workforces."
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, as the country's hospitality sector is rapidly expanding. The World Travel & Tourism Council projects that travel and tourism will contribute over 10% of Saudi Arabia's GDP by 2025, creating significant opportunities for programmes like TOP.
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