Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, emphasised that equipping the hospitality sector with skilled national talent is a cornerstone in strengthening Bahrain’s global reputation as a distinguished tourist destination, and commended Vatel Bahrain for its pivotal role in training and graduating Bahraini professionals with the expertise needed to contribute to tourism development.
These remarks came during the graduation ceremony of the third and fourth cohorts of Vatel Bahrain, where Her Excellency highlighted the importance of synergy between educational institutions and economic sectors in fostering a supportive environment for tourism growth—an essential pillar of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
Her Excellency also praised the college’s ongoing efforts to elevate tourism education and training by offering advanced academic programmes and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges and noted that these initiatives have led to high employment rates among Vatel Bahrain graduates, positively impacting the hospitality sector.
Minister Al Sairafi affirmed that the Ministry of Tourism places great emphasis on encouraging national talent to integrate into the hospitality sector, recognising it as a key driver in achieving the objectives of Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy 2022-2026, and noted that Bahrain’s tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by large-scale development projects which necessitates a skilled national workforce capable of supporting the sector’s expansion.
Furthermore, Her Excellency commended Vatel Bahrain graduates for their significant role in showcasing Bahraini hospitality on the international stage, emphasising that the college serves as a model for aligning academic programmes with industry needs.
Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain, emphasised that the college’s new graduates will carry forward the legacy of their predecessors, continuing to elevate Bahrain’s name in global tourism, hospitality, and hotel industry forums, and affirmed that Vatel Bahrain remains committed to its ambitious vision of preparing highly qualified national talents.
Additionally, Sheikh Khaled noted that Bahrain’s tourism sector is experiencing sustained growth, driving an increasing demand for skilled national professionals who play a pivotal role in supporting its expansion and development, and explained that these efforts collectively reinforce Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for tourism and hospitality training, further enhancing Vatel Bahrain’s standing as one of the top institutions within the prestigious French Vatel network.
“In 2023, Vatel Bahrain was honoured with the "International Student Ratio" award at the Global Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX 2023), and in 2024, received the "Job Placement" award at GHEDEX 2024, recognizing its exceptional achievement in securing employment for its graduates. All students received job offers prior to graduation, and 24% of the graduates advanced to supervisory positions, reflecting the college's commitment to excellence in tourism and hospitality education.” said Sheikh Khaled.
Mrs. Karine Sebban-Benzazon, President of Vatel Hospitality Group, commended the strategic development plans implemented by Vatel Bahrain’s management, which have significantly enhanced the college’s appeal among both Bahraini citizens and residents. These efforts have elevated tourism education and training in the Kingdom, producing highly skilled professionals who play a vital role in advancing the tourism sector and securing promising career prospects for Bahraini youth.
Mrs. Benzazon congratulated the graduates on this special occasion, and further praised Vatel Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening ties with its counterparts across the Vatel global network, particularly the strong collaboration with the group’s main campus in Lyon, France. These cooperative efforts aim to continuously enhance the quality of education and training at Vatel Bahrain, positioning it among the most prestigious institutions within the Vatel international network.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Her Excellency the Minister of Tourism presented bachelor’s degrees in international Hotel Management to the 32 graduates of the third and fourth cohorts of Vatel Bahrain.
Her Excellency expressed confidence that the graduates’ dedication to their studies would pave the way for success and excellence in their professional careers, reaffirming that Bahrain’s rapidly growing tourism sector is well-positioned to integrate skilled national talent who will play a vital role in driving its sustainable development.
Vatel Bahrain Hospitality College is the result of a longstanding partnership with the renowned French Vatel Hospitality Group, the world’s leading hospitality and hotel business school network. Founded in 1981, Vatel has grown over 44 years to include more than 50 campuses across 30 countries. Over the past four decades, its 45,000+ graduates have significantly contributed to the advancement of the global hospitality industry, reinforcing Vatel’s reputation as a premier institution for hospitality education.
