With Gulf tourism on the rise, Bahrain's two-year MBA program seeks to give aspiring leaders the operational and strategic know-how required to satisfy the growing demand in the hospitality sector.

To address the growing demand for specialized industry leaders in the Gulf region and enhance the talent pool in the hospitality sector, Bahrain has launched its first two-year MBA program in International Hotel Management.

According to research by Alpen Capital, more than 90,000 qualified hospitality workers would be required by 2026 as tourist infrastructure developments in the Gulf pick up speed. This requirement is met by Bahrain's new MBA program, which gives graduates the sophisticated operational, strategic, and financial abilities required for top positions in the industry.

The program is accredited by the Kingdom's Higher Education Council, benchmarked to Level 7 on the European Qualifications Framework, and matched to Level 9 on Bahrain's National Qualifications Framework. It is taught at Vatel Bahrain Business School and is delivered fully in English. The program prepares students for leadership positions in hotel chains, travel agencies, and associated hospitality businesses by fusing academic theory with real-world experience.

The coursework encompasses the economy of tourism and hospitality, marketing strategy, financial analysis, human resources, hospitality and tourism strategy, and the growth of the English and French languages. At least two years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor's degree in hospitality or hotel management, or a related field, are prerequisites for admission.

Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain, commented on the launch, saying that the region's tourism industry is growing and that this calls for a program that blends academic knowledge with real-world experience to ensure that graduates are ready to meet the demands of a competitive and rapidly changing global hospitality industry. This MBA program's introduction is a calculated move to close the industry's professional divide.

Many universities in the area, such as Middlesex University Dubai, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, and Al Rayyan International University College in Qatar, offer master's degrees in hospitality management.