The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

IHG Hotels & Resorts Egypt has embarked on a ground-breaking venture, signing an unprecedented partnership agreement with 30 of the nation’s premier tourism and hospitality institutes. As the largest collaboration of its kind for IHG, this initiative represents a cornerstone in Egypt’s hospitality education landscape, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2030 to cultivate industry-ready professionals.

Through this alliance, IHG seeks to empower a new generation with an extensive training program that integrates real-world experience with essential soft skills development, setting a new benchmark for hospitality education.

Nermine Zakaria, Area Director of Learning & Development for Egypt and Africa, expressed the vision behind this initiative: “Our commitment goes beyond merely training students. It’s about inspiring a new generation of skilled, confident leaders ready to shape the future of hospitality. Through immersive experiences and hands-on learning at IHG properties, we ensure that these students are prepared to innovate and elevate Egypt’s hospitality industry.”

This year alone, 373 students have graduated from the IHG Academy program, with half of the graduates being women, underscoring IHG Hotels’ dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion. The program’s intensive two-month structure immerses students in real-world experiences at IHG properties across Egypt, equipping them with industry-relevant skills that prepare them for professional careers aligned with the objectives of Egypt’s Vision 2030.

The initiative also extends to academia, offering specialized workshops for 14 assistant professors from partner institutions. These workshops introduce faculty members to the latest trends in hospitality and storytelling techniques, enriching their teaching methods and amplifying the program’s impact on future hospitality professionals.

Nasser Fadly, Area Director of Human Resources for Egypt & Africa, emphasized the program’s strategic importance: “This collaboration with Egypt’s premier educational institutions goes beyond training; it’s about elevating hospitality education standards across the region. By aligning our initiatives with the industry’s evolving needs, we’re cultivating a pipeline of future professionals who will meet market demands and contribute to Egypt’s tourism growth.”

At the graduation ceremony for the 2024 IHG Academy cohort, Dieter Franke, Regional Director for IHG Hotels Egypt and North Africa, reflected on the long-term vision of the program and its impact on the community: “This partnership is a cornerstone of our responsibility to the communities where we operate. By supporting and nurturing the next generation of Egyptian hospitality talent, we’re investing in a sustainable future for tourism in Egypt. The Academy allows us to give back, bolster industry resilience, and forge new pathways for growth, benefiting both IHG and Egypt’s broader tourism landscape.”

IHG Egypt is the only hotel group in Egypt graduating such a substantial number of students each year, underscoring its commitment to community impact. The 2024 graduation event celebrated the completion of the program’s first two cohorts, 373 students in total, and brought together esteemed academics, deans of participating colleges, IHG Egypt General Managers, and industry leaders.