Sommet Education CEO Calls for Urgent Upskilling at FHS Riyadh

At the recent Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Riyadh, Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education, delivered a forward-looking message during media interactions: while the hospitality industry understands the importance of digital transformation, it is woefully unprepared for it.

Citing a 2023 McKinsey study, Domenget pointed to a significant disconnect in the industry: 80% of hoteliers recognize digital transformation as crucial, particularly in enhancing guest experiences—but only a third believe they are ready for this shift.

“To say it bluntly, the industry is not ready. Bridging this gap means urgently equipping both today’s and tomorrow’s hospitality professionals with competencies in AI, data analytics, and digital systems,” Domenget said.

He emphasized that specialized education and co-created training programs are the key to future-proofing the hospitality sector. One area undergoing rapid transformation is revenue management, traditionally a cornerstone of hotel operations and now being reshaped by artificial intelligence.

Sommet Education—whose global network includes Les Roches and Glion Institute of Higher Education—is already adapting its curriculum to meet these needs. “We are embedding AI and data automation in our programs to ensure our students are ready for what the market demands,” he said.

A standout example of innovation, according to Domenget, is Sommet’s co-creation of academic programs with major hospitality players. Two recent partnerships include: Silver Sea Cruises – A bespoke course in cruise line management, Jetex – A specialized training program for private aviation hospitality, particularly relevant to the Middle East. These aren’t just educational pilots—they’re career pipelines. Both companies not only helped design the courses but also subsidize student tuition and guarantee job offers upon graduation.

At a time when Saudi Arabia and other nations are investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, Domenget stressed the need for human capital development to keep pace. “You can build the most stunning hotels in the world, but without the right people running them, the experience falls short,” he noted.

As Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its Vision 2030 and positions itself as a global tourism hub, the message from Domenget—and the broader education sector—is that skills, not just structures, will define the success of this transformation.