The Curriculum

10 Certification Programs

480 hours of applied, lab-based AI tourism education delivered across 3 academic years — fully integrated with the existing KSU BSc timetable. Each module awards an internationally recognised professional certification.

10
Certification Modules
480h
Total Learning Hours
65%+
Pass Mark Per Module
3
Certification Bodies
Assessment Per Module
Lab Project (60%) + Written Assessment (40%)
Certifications Issued By
VVG Academy UK (primary) + VFS Global Academy Dubai (co-awarded) + VVG Academy KSA (Saudi-validated)
Duration
3 Academic Years, integrated with BSc timetable — no disruption to existing studies
M1
AI FUNDAMENTALS FOR TOURISM
60 Hours Year 1, Semester 1

Topics Covered

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & NLP
ChatGPT & Automation Tools for Tourism
AI Ethics, Governance & Responsible AI
Saudi Tourism Industry Case Studies
AI in Global Hospitality: Current Landscape
Practical AI Tool Applications

Learning Outcome

Students can confidently apply AI tools to real tourism and hospitality business problems, understand ethical implications, and identify automation opportunities in the sector.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in AI Fundamentals for Tourism

M2
SMART HOTEL SYSTEMS
50 Hours Year 1, Semester 2

Topics Covered

IoT Device Integration in Hospitality
Smart Room Automation Systems
Energy Optimisation AI for Hotels
Property Management Systems (PMS) Deep Dive
Guest Experience Technology
Smart Hotel Operations & Maintenance

Learning Outcome

Students can design, configure, and manage a complete IoT-enabled smart hotel room environment using the ATIC Smart Hotel Demo Room lab.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in Smart Hotel Systems

M3
CUSTOMER PERSONALISATION & CRM
45 Hours Year 1, Semester 2

Topics Covered

Guest Behaviour Analytics & Data Mining
AI Recommendation Engines
CRM Systems: Salesforce & HubSpot for Hotels
Sentiment Analysis using NLP
Personalisation Engines at Scale
Customer Journey Mapping with AI

Learning Outcome

Students build a working AI-powered guest personalisation engine for a 5-star hotel scenario — a fully functional lab project using real CRM tools.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in Customer Personalisation & CRM

M4
BOOKING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
50 Hours Year 1–2

Topics Covered

OTA Platforms: Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb
Amadeus & Sabre GDS (Global Distribution Systems)
API Integration for Hospitality Systems
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms
Inventory Management & Revenue Optimisation
Mock OTA Platform Build Project

Learning Outcome

Students design and operate a functional mock OTA platform with live pricing and inventory management using the ATIC Booking Simulation Lab.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in Booking System Architecture

M5
AI MARKETING & DIGITAL STRATEGY
45 Hours Year 2, Semester 3

Topics Covered

AI Content Generation: ChatGPT, Jasper.ai
Marketing Campaign Automation
SEO Strategy & Google Analytics 4
Social Media AI Tools & Scheduling
Influencer Marketing for Tourism Brands
Performance Analytics & ROI Measurement

Learning Outcome

Students launch and manage a complete AI-powered digital marketing campaign for a Saudi tourism brand — real platforms, real analytics, real deliverables.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in AI Marketing & Digital Strategy

M6
VIRTUAL TOURISM & VR/AR
40 Hours Year 2, Semester 3

Topics Covered

VR/AR Development Basics (Unity Engine)
360° Content Production & Editing
Saudi Heritage Virtual Tour Creation
Metaverse Tourism & Digital Experiences
AR Applications in Hotels & Museums
VR as a Sales Tool for Tourism Operators

Learning Outcome

Students produce a fully navigable VR tourism experience for a Saudi cultural or heritage destination using the ATIC VR Tourism Lab (Oculus Quest 3).

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in Virtual Tourism & VR/AR

M7
REVENUE MANAGEMENT AI
50 Hours Year 2, Semester 4

Topics Covered

Demand Forecasting: ARIMA & LSTM Models
AI Pricing Algorithms & Dynamic Rate Setting
Competitor Rate Intelligence Tools
RevPAR & ADR KPI Dashboard Design (Power BI)
Revenue Management Systems (IDeaS, Duetto)
Real STR Data Analysis Projects

Learning Outcome

Students build a full revenue management Power BI dashboard for a 200-room hotel using real STR industry data — a professional-grade deliverable.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in Revenue Management AI

M8
AI IN AVIATION & SMART AIRPORTS
45 Hours Year 2, Semester 4

Topics Covered

Smart Airport Systems & Infrastructure
Biometric Passenger Flow AI
AI-Powered Security Screening
Airline Operations Optimisation
Predictive Maintenance in Aviation
Smart Passenger Journey Design Project

Learning Outcome

Students design a complete AI-powered passenger journey from check-in to gate using smart airport technology — presented as a full system design proposal.

Certification Awarded

VFS Global Academy Dubai — Certificate in AI Aviation & Smart Airports

M9
DATA ANALYTICS & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
45 Hours Year 3, Semester 5

Topics Covered

Power BI & Tableau for Tourism Professionals
Dashboard Design & Data Storytelling
Tourism Datasets: STR, UNWTO, KSA Ministry
Python Data Pipelines for Hospitality
Predictive Analytics & Forecasting
Real KSA Industry Dataset Final Project

Learning Outcome

Students create a fully interactive tourism intelligence dashboard using real KSA industry datasets — published to the ATIC Data Lab portal.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK — Certificate in Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

M10
CAPSTONE — AI INNOVATION PROJECT
50 Hours Year 3, Semester 6

Topics Covered

AI Product Concept Development Framework
Startup Validation & Market Testing Methods
Industry Case Study Research & Analysis
Business Plan & Financial Modelling
Final Pitch Presentation to ATIC Panel
Innovation Product Pitch Platform Entry (top 10%)

Learning Outcome

Students develop, validate, and present an original AI tourism product idea — top 10% enter the Innovation Product Pitch Platform (IPPP) for real enterprise incubation.

Certification Awarded

VVG Academy UK + VFS Global Academy — ATIC Master Certificate in AI Tourism Innovation

Upon Completion of All 10 Modules

The ATIC Master Certificate

1. VVG Academy UK

ATIC Master Certificate in AI Tourism Innovation

UK-issued, internationally recognised. Primary certification awarded upon successful completion of all 10 modules.

2. VFS Global Academy Dubai

Professional Certificate in Smart Hospitality Technology

GCC employer-recognised. Co-awarded alongside the VVG Academy UK primary certificate.

3. VVG Academy KSA

Saudi-Validated Certificate of Completion

TVTC-aligned, Saudisation-compliant. Qualifies for highest Nitaqat employment bands.

4. KSU Transcript Notation

"ATIC Certified — AI Tourism Innovation Center, King Saud University"

Official KSU transcript notation recognising completion of the full ATIC certification suite.