Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has launched a new program to equip young Saudis with the key hospitality skills needed to pursue careers in the Kingdom’s flourishing tourism industry.
Tourism Trailblazers is launched by Minister of Tourism Mr. Ahmed Al-Khateeb at the 116th session of the World Tourism Organization’s Executive Council in Jeddah and it includes investments worth $100 million.
The program will provide in-depth global experience to the tourism industry’s future leaders. Further, it intends to train 100,000 Saudis in 2022.
According to the statement, “The campaign kicked off in late 2020 with the launch of a new human capital development strategy in the Kingdom’s burgeoning tourism industry, which aims to attract more Saudi nationals to the sector.”
Ahmed Al-Khateeb Tourism Minister Saudi Arabia
“It is vital that we invest in our youth now. Creating a skilled workforce with the talent and ambition to support and drive the tourism sector regionally and globally is key to realizing Vision 2030. This program demonstrates our commitment to empowering young people by providing them with the right skills, support, and opportunities to shape the future of the tourism industry. the program has three main objectives that aim to nurture, develop and support talent in the industry. It seeks to spread a culture of professionalism, help nascent professionals gain the knowledge and qualifications needed to break into the industry, and support their success through the refinement of their skills. The program will help trainees to secure jobs within the sector, including seasonal, part-time, or full-time opportunities across the Kingdom.”
The Saudi minister further stressed that these initiatives are geared towards delivering on the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030 targets, including the creation of one million new jobs in tourism by 2030.
Mr. Mohammed Bushnag, Deputy Minister for Human Capital, said that, “A financial investment of this size shows our determination to equip our youth with the tools they need to succeed. Three-quarters of Saudi nationals now consider the tourism industry as a viable career option. Supporting the dreams of our Tourism Trailblazers and enabling their continued education at the best global schools, is vital as we continue to emerge as a global player in the sector.”
As per the statement, “Participants in the program are set to benefit from training scholarships at leading global institutions in France, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Australia, and Italy.” The applications will be accepted not only from fresh graduates, but also from Saudis who already work within the industry and those who aspire to start a career in the tourism, hospitality, culinary, service, and sales fields.
