Saudi Arabia introduces Tourism and Hospitality as core subject for grade 12 students

As part of education reforms, Grade 12 students will study Tourism and Hospitality alongside new subjects like AI, Cybersecurity, and First Aid/ Image: SPA

In a significant update to Saudi Arabia’s education system, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism have jointly introduced Tourism and Hospitality as a new subject for third-grade secondary school students, starting this academic year. This development, aligned with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, marks a strategic effort to embed tourism knowledge and practical skills within the national curriculum, while several other disciplines, including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, First Aid, and Fashion, have also been added as part of a comprehensive reform.

Tourism and hospitality now a core subject in final secondary year

The National Curriculum Center (NCC) has officially added Tourism and Hospitality to the curriculum for third-grade secondary students. This inclusion is part of a broader national initiative to cultivate a tourism-oriented culture and to prepare local talent for a rapidly growing sector. Developed in partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tourism, the subject follows a self-learning model, aiming to equip students with both theoretical understanding and applied competencies relevant to the tourism and hospitality industries. The curriculum is structured to support sustainability, innovation, and the broader aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030. According to the NCC, the curriculum covers:

The goals of the curriculum are multifold:

As stated by the center, “This program will give students the knowledge and skills they need to support the growth of tourism in Saudi Arabia and help achieve the goals of Vision 2030.”

Education modernization aligned with Vision 2030

The inclusion of tourism studies is part of a comprehensive educational overhaul unveiled by the National Curriculum Center,this reform package introduces several new elective subjects and redefines how content is delivered in classrooms nationwide. In total, the new additions include:

These reforms are described by the SPA as “a strategic modernization effort aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.” The NCC stated that the curricula were developed in collaboration with key ministries and national authorities, emphasizing technical skills, critical thinking, and innovative teaching methods. Importantly, the educational approach now extends learning beyond textbooks. As Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaili, CEO of the NCC, told Saudi Press Agency (SPA):“The curriculum is no longer confined to textbooks, but encompasses all student experiences, positioning books as just one tool within a broader educational environment.” This shift encourages integration of educational content across school activities such as morning assemblies, national celebrations, and project-based tasks, aiming to foster a holistic learning environment.

Highlights of the newly introduced subjects

Each newly added subject was designed in partnership with specialized authorities to ensure real-world relevance and sector alignment.

Expanded language instruction and additional initiatives

Other academic enhancements include the expansion of Chinese language instruction, now offered in the second intermediate grade after initial introduction last year. Over 70 private schools have already adopted the program, with plans to scale it further in phases through 2029. English education has also seen updates. For grades five and six, English courses now incorporate interactive storytelling to support both language acquisition and critical thinking development. Moreover, new teaching guides have been introduced, such as:

Student activities have also been formalized to include:

To support all of these updates, the NCC has committed to establishing new private-sector partnerships to license international content and ensure efficient textbook distribution. Go to Source