Riyadh, August 2025 , In a landmark shift for its education system, Saudi Arabia has announced that “Tourism and Hospitality” will now be a core subject for third-grade secondary (Grade-12) students. This move, unveiled by the National Curriculum Center (NCC) and endorsed by both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism, forms part of a sweeping educational reform aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
The new curriculum takes a self-learning, project-based approach, blending theoretical insights with practical skills. It covers foundational topics such as the Kingdom’s tourism resources, sustainable tourism, Vision 2030’s impact on the sector, tourism marketing, and innovation and entrepreneurship. Students are also taught to analyze job opportunities within the tourism and hospitality industries and plan events, equipping them for real-world sector engagement.
Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, CEO of the NCC, emphasized that the curriculum transcends conventional textbooks, integrating educational content across school life, from assemblies to national celebrations and student-led projects. Textbooks, he said, are now just one part of a broader, immersive learning ecosystem.
Tourism and Hospitality isn’t the only new entrant. The reform package also introduces electives such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, First Aid, and Fashion, Art, and Design, the latter particularly aimed at female students. Each subject is developed in partnership with sector-specific authorities to ensure real-world relevance.
AI: Developed with the Saudi Data and AI Authority and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, it equips students with digital literacy and modern computational thinking.
Cybersecurity: Designed in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Authority, it focuses on safeguarding students and their digital devices.
Fashion, Art & Design: Available to female learners, this elective blends global design principles with marketing and supplier coordination skills.
First Aid: Created with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, it provides practical emergency response training, including managing burns, choking, and cardiac scenarios.
The curriculum overhaul emerges from a broader strategic vision to diversify the economy and develop human capital. Tourism, highlighted as a high-potential growth sector under Vision 2030, is a key pillar lessening Saudi dependence on oil revenue.
Major tourism and entertainment mega-projects under Vision 2030, such as Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and NEOM, demand a skilled workforce, making this academic revamp timely and pragmatic. Additionally, programs like the Quality of Life Program underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing tourism infrastructure and experiences.
By embedding tourism-related studies in Grade-12, Saudi Arabia is cultivating early-stage awareness and career readiness among youth, positioning them to contribute meaningfully to Vision 2030’s ambitious goals. The approach signals a shift toward experiential learning, sector alignment, and economic responsiveness in education.
Critically, as students graduate equipped with competencies like sustainable tourism planning, digital hospitality management, and entrepreneurial thinking, the Kingdom nurtures a generation ready to both consume and shape its burgeoning tourism economy.
