Radisson Hotel Group is strengthening its investment in Saudi hospitality talent, with 33 Saudi nationals nominated for international training placements and 58 candidates recommended for employment following a recruitment Open Day in Riyadh.

The initiatives form part of the Group’s wider strategy to develop local talent, build a pipeline of future hospitality leaders and support Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions under Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia is among Radisson Hotel Group’s top five global markets, with 50 hotels either operating or under development across the Kingdom. The Group aims to expand its portfolio to 100 hotels by 2030, creating further opportunities for Saudi nationals to enter and progress within the hospitality industry.

“Our growth in Saudi Arabia will always be measured by our people as much as by our hotels,” says Basel Talal, Managing Director, KSA, Kuwait & Levant, Radisson Hotel Group.

“Every one of these programs is about creating real, visible pathways for Saudi talent, whether that is a supervisor stepping into their first management role, a concierge building expertise that can take them anywhere in the world, or a graduate joining our hotels for the very first time. Career Fest reminds us that careers in hospitality can move in many directions, and in the Kingdom, we want every one of those directions to be open to Saudi professionals.”

Building the next generation of Saudi leaders

A central element of the Group’s talent strategy is ABJAD (A Brilliant Journey of Advanced Development), launched in 2022 to prepare Saudi employees in supervisory positions for management roles.

The programme combines coaching, independent learning and practical workplace experience, helping participants strengthen their leadership capabilities and take on greater operational responsibilities.

Built around four pillars – Own, Deliver, Collaborate and Lead – ABJAD encourages accountability, teamwork and effective leadership. Its first cohort graduated in 2023 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center, in the presence of Ministry of Tourism representatives.

The initiative is designed to establish a sustainable pipeline of Saudi managers capable of supporting the Group’s expanding hotel operations.

Raising standards in guest services

Radisson’s Concierge Navigation to Success (NTS) programme focuses on developing Saudi professionals working in concierge positions.

Launched in May 2022 with support from the Ministry of Tourism, the initiative combines classroom training, online learning and practical experience across the Group’s hotels.

Training covers communication, guest relations, social media and concierge service fundamentals, equipping participants to anticipate guest needs, personalise recommendations and deliver memorable experiences.

The programme also introduces participants to the knowledge and professional standards associated with Les Clefs d’Or, the international association of professional hotel concierges. Its first cohort graduated in December 2022.

International experience for 33 Saudi professionals

The Group has also joined the Ministry of Tourism’s Hospitality Ambassadors Program, which provides Saudi hospitality professionals with overseas on-the-job training through partnerships with international hotel operators.

Radisson has nominated 33 employees from 14 hotels across the Kingdom. Of these, 17 are participating in the Functional Leadership Track and 16 in the Organizational Leadership Track.

Participants will undertake placements at Radisson properties in Spain, the UK, Belgium and France, gaining experience through leadership shadowing, departmental rotations and professional coaching.

Each participant is also expected to complete an impact project, applying their international experience to improve operations when they return to Saudi Arabia.

The first 10 participants began two-month placements in summer 2026, with the full training programme expected to conclude by the end of the year.

HTMi partnership creates employment opportunities

Radisson is also strengthening its recruitment pipeline through its apprenticeship partnership with HTMi Saudi Arabia.

At a recent Open Day in Riyadh, representatives from 11 Radisson hotels met 91 registered students and graduates from HTMi's hospitality management and culinary arts higher diploma programmes.

Of the 81 candidates interviewed, 58 were recommended for employment, including 14 identified as strong hires.

Opportunities covered several hotel departments, including front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, culinary, commercial and specialist functions. Potential positions ranged from Front Office Supervisor and Chef de Partie to Marketing Coordinator and Health Club Supervisor.

Candidates were assessed against the Group’s competency framework, covering five dimensions: Lead, Own, Think, Collaborate and Deliver.

Career Fest highlights opportunities for growth

The Saudi initiatives reflect the wider objectives of Radisson Hotel Group’s Career Fest 2026, its global career development programme held throughout October.

The hybrid festival brought together employees and aspiring hospitality professionals across more than 100 countries, with sessions exploring career mobility, artificial intelligence, leadership development and the future of work.

The event recorded 30 sessions, 72 speakers and moderators, 11,900 registrations and 102,000 total session views.

Through its Saudi programmes, Radisson is seeking to translate these ambitions into practical career opportunities, from entry-level recruitment and specialist training to international exposure and management development.

As the Kingdom continues to expand its tourism and hospitality sectors, the Group’s approach places Saudi workforce development at the centre of its long-term growth strategy. -TradeArabia News Service