MAKKAH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, 27 January 2015: Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel has joined forces with the Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Management in Jeddah, part of the prestigious Alfaisal University, on a pioneering program that aims to provide top-notch hospitality training and internship and employment opportunities for Saudi students. In a recent agreement, both organizations pledged to allocate their respective resources to support the development of students by combining classroom theory with practical application in the workplace.

Spearheaded by Pr. Shakeel Habeb, dean of the college, and Mr. Abdulaziz Eid, general manager of Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, this partnership aims to develop a strong educational curriculum that equips graduates with in-demand skills and knowledge, while cementing the hospitality sector as both a major contributor to the country's economy and as a top employer of Saudi nationals.

"The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities anticipates that in the coming years the tourism sector will emerge as a true economic powerhouse, employing more than 926,000 people and surpassing more than SAR 70 billion in earnings - around 6.5% of the Kingdom's GDP," explained Eid. "Given these facts, it is incredibly important that we work closely with educational institutions to develop a prepared and qualified workforce that can meet the growing needs of this expanding sector."

This initiative comes at a time when Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont hotel is aggressively recruiting and developing local talent across the organization. Lauded as a leading employer of Saudi men and women, this year the hotel proudly celebrated one of its exceptional Saudi colleagues Mr. Mohammed Sharaf, who was named the young hotelier of the year at the Hotelier Middle East Awards held in Dubai. "Mr. Sharaf's notable achievement is a reflection of Makkah Clock Royal Tower's commitment to nurturing the professional growth of its team members through programs that focus on empowering Saudi nationals," noted Mr. Eid.

The collaboration between the hotel and the college will enable students to participate in the hotel's distinguished Leadership Development program, which gives them unlimited access to its diverse divisions and specializations. From catering, sales, reservations to marketing, trainees undergo job rotation and gain first hand knowledge into the inner-workings of each department.  In addition, the Leaders of Tomorrow program, allows trainees to immerse themselves fully in a professional employment environment by experiencing a full-time schedule, handling real-time responsibilities and assignments, and receiving monthly compensation. The program focuses on standout Saudi students who have exhibited exceptional talent and leadership potential. Placement in this program may also lead to an employment contract at the hotel.

Pr. Habeb commented "The importance of this partnership is that it comes at a time when the country's leading educational institutions are working hard to match educational skills and knowledge with the needs of the local market. We want to support and empower students so that they can become competitive candidates who are highly employable and who bring added value to any organization they join."

Students who are interested in joining the program can find out more by visiting Placement and COP. Training center at Prince Sultan College.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts connects guests to the very best of its destinations worldwide, reflecting each locale's energy, culture and history. Passionate travelers choose the luxury hotel brand for its ability to deliver memorable travel experiences, personalized and thoughtful service, and hotels that are one-of-a-kind. Serving as genuine gateways to their destinations, Fairmont hotels offer locally-inspired cuisine and spirited bars and lounges, distinctive design and décor, and a steadfast responsibility to environmental and social priorities. With more than 65 hotels globally, and many more in development, landmark hotels in the Fairmont collection include The Plaza in New York, London's The Savoy, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Quebec City's Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with over 110 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information or reservations, please visit fairmont.com.

For further information:
Ahmad Ghazi
Group Public Relations Manager
Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel
Raffles Makkah Palace
Swissotel Makkah
966-5460-11111
ahmed.ghazi@fairmont.com

© Press Release 2015