In a move that underscores Egypt’s ambitions to become a global leader in hospitality, the Egyptian Hotels Association (EHA) has entered into a strategic two-year partnership with Swiss-based Sommet Education, the parent company of the Glion Institute of Higher Education and Les Roches Global Hospitality Education.
The agreement, signed in Cairo in the presence of Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, offers exclusive scholarships and development programmes for Egyptian hospitality professionals. It forms part of a wider government strategy to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2031 and significantly expand the country’s hotel capacity.
The EHA, operating under the Egyptian Tourism Federation, plays a pivotal role in promoting and modernising the country’s hotel industry. Its new alliance with Sommet Education reflects a concerted effort to bolster the skills of Egypt’s tourism workforce in line with international benchmarks.
Eligible staff at EHA-member hotels will gain partial scholarships to postgraduate and executive programmes at Glion and Les Roches. In addition, a full scholarship will be awarded to one exceptional candidate on a need-based basis via the non-profit Sommet Education Foundation.
“This collaboration is a game-changer for Egypt’s hospitality landscape,” said Mohamed Ayoub, chairman of the Egyptian Hotels Association. “By opening doors to globally renowned institutions like Glion and Les Roches, we’re giving our members access to world-class knowledge and skills that will uplift the entire industry. It’s about preparing our people to lead – not just locally, but on the world stage.”
Adrian Artimov, chief commercial officer at Sommet Education, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need to connect Egyptian talent with world-class training: “At Sommet Education, we believe that passion is the foundation of great service. By giving motivated individuals the opportunity to study at Glion and Les Roches, we’re helping to develop leaders who can elevate the hospitality industry not just in Egypt, but globally.”
The partnership will also deliver executive online education, short-form certifications, and eight joint professional development and networking events over the next two years. Sommet will additionally take part in major events hosted by the EHA, fostering deeper industry integration.
Both Glion and Les Roches, accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), offer programmes spanning luxury brand strategy, tourism management and event planning. Graduates benefit from direct career pathways in top-tier hospitality brands, further strengthening Egypt’s global positioning.
As competition intensifies among Middle Eastern and African nations seeking to attract high-value tourists, Egypt’s focus on education-driven transformation may give it a critical edge.
