IHG launches programme to develop Saudi talent

IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched a new talent development programme in Saudi Arabia aimed at preparing nationals to become the next generation of hospitality leaders.

 

Masarona, meaning ‘our pathway’ in Arabic, underlines IHG’s commitment to the kingdom, where nearly half of its existing workforce are Saudi nationals.

 

Available to both current employees and new recruits, the initiative provides structured training built around four pathways that blend academic study, hands‑on experience and leadership mentorship.

 

Participants will gain access to accredited courses, personalised guidance from senior leaders and exposure to operations across IHG’s portfolio of brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn.

 

IHG currently operates 45 hotels under six brands in the kingdom and has ambitious expansion plans, with more than 50 additional properties and 15,000 additional rooms by 2030.

 

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Commenting on the launch, Maher Abou Nasr, Managing Director – Saudi Arabia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: "This programme is more than just training; it’s a promise to empower our Saudi colleagues to reach their full potential and shape the future of hospitality in the kingdom.”

 

The initiative complements other IHG learning platforms, such as IHG University, which offers career resources and content, and IHG Academy, which works in partnership with Saudi universities and institutions to develop young talent.

 

IHG is responding to rising demand for hospitality skills in a market experiencing historic growth.

 

Rival operator Hilton, which already employs Saudis in over half of its local roles, is on track to reach 100 hotels in the kingdom – operating or in development – by the end of 2025. The group’s planned expansion is set to create more than 15,000 jobs, around half of which will go to Saudi nationals.

 

Meanwhile, Red Sea Global, developer of giga‑projects The Red Sea and Amaala, has a workforce that is already 70% Saudi, reflecting the broader push to build a homegrown hospitality workforce.

 

For more information, visit www.ihg.com