Les Roches, the luxury school in Marbella where the elite of Saudi tourism is instructed

“I’ve learned a lot,” Ali Ayedh Al Qahtani repeats over and over again. It’s hard for him to leave Marbella. At 30, this young man from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is already finishing his training at Les Roches. An intense week of financed learning by the Ministry of Tourism of his country in what is one of the most prestigious higher education centers in the world in hotel management and tourism.Like him, a hundred young people, between 25 and 35 years old, who come to instruct themselves in the art of hospitality. A relatively new concept for a country like Saudi Arabia that opened to international tourism in 2019. “We are Mediterranean cultures. It is also a hospitable country like Spain, they have that natural generosity to make people feel comfortable. Here, we help them to do it in a scientific and more professional way”, Carlos Díaz de la Lastra, CEO of the center, explains to NIUS. “It has exceeded my expectations” Albandari Alduraiby assures NIUS. This 26-year-old is from Jeddah, on the shores of the Red Sea. She knew of the high level of demand of the center and she admits that she felt some fear but the experience has been very satisfactory. “We come to learn and develop our level and abilities. Also, obviously to support our government in the project of the future”, she points out. Active young people, recent graduates or professionals with an average of 5 years in the sector. “It is a young, promising, talented generation, which lacks the training base,” explains Díaz de Lastra, who acknowledges that he is surprised by “the passion and commitment” they show.Marbella: “A successful tourism model” One of the largest economies in the world has chosen Marbella, “a successful tourism model”, and the Les Roches hotel school to train part of the 100,000 young Saudis who are integrated into its student training program “Tourism Trailblazers”, says the Saudi deputy minister of tourism, Mohammed Bushnag. “It is no secret that this country is a tourist power, a sector in which it stands out every year by occupying first or second place”, says the deputy minister about Spain. “We believe that it is vital that our students learn in a country and in an environment where the tourism sector is well managed and supported by some of the highest standards of hospitality in the world”, he specified, emphasizing the similarities between this city gives the Costa del Sol and Arabia, and in the excellent relationship that exists between its king and that of Spain.A military camp in a luxury resortThe activity begins early in Les Roches, with almost martial discipline. Imperfections are reviewed and sanctioned. Here, every last detail is taken care of: immaculate suits, shiny shoes, careful appearance and an exquisite education under an ever-present smile. “We are very rigorous and disciplined with the rules. This is like a military academy and the level of attention to detail is very high,” says the CEO. However, dedicated to the luxury sector, the intensity required of students is the same with which they take care of them, he acknowledges.The campus is configured as a hotel complex where students are immersed in management from the first day of the course.It has 4 themed restaurants where they are provided with different professional environments.Here they can meet the secrets of haute cuisine and gain experience in team management and F&B (Food and Beverage).The campus is also equipped with a reception room and a 5-star hotel room used by students for practices and games of roles simulating a real hotel environment.”In such a short time we cannot pretend to teach them everything but we can open their eyes. The intention is to make them aware of the opportunities they have and the r traveled to improve the quality of its services”, he explains. Ali and Albandari have it clear. “It has increased my desire to come back again and again,” he says. Now he has to return to his country and put into practice what he learned in Spain. They are the future elite of the Saudi Arabian tourism sector that aims to welcome 100 million visitors by 2030 and create a million jobs in the sector.