SAUDI ARABIA LAUNCHES ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST INVESTMENTS IN NEXT GENERATION OF TOURISM PROFESSIONALS

Saudi Arabia to invest $100m in training over 100,000 young people for tourism

'Tourism Trailblazers' to develop trainees at all career levels

Program is supported by top global tourism training schools

JEDDAH,Saudi Arabia,June 8,2022 -- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism has today launched a new program to equip 100,000 young Saudis with the key hospitality skills needed to pursue careers in the Kingdom's flourishing tourism industry.

Saudi Arabia Invests in the Next Generation with its Tourism Trailblazers Program

Launched by His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb,Minister of Tourism,Saudi Arabia at the 116th session of the World Tourism Organization's Executive Council in Jeddah,'Tourism Trailblazers' will provide in-depth global experience to the tourism industry's future leaders.

The program aims to train 100,000 Saudis during 2022. 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.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb,said: "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 realising Vision 2030. This program demonstrates our commitment to empowering young people by providing them with right skills,support and opportunities to shape the future of the tourism industry."

According to His Excellency,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 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.

His Excellency further stressed that this and other 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.

Mohammed Bushnag,Deputy Minister,Human Capital said: "A financial investment of this size shows our determination to equip our youth with the tools they need to suceed. 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."

Participants in the program are set to benefit from training scholarships at leading global institutions in France,Spain,Switzerland,UK,Australia,and Italy. 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.

His Excellency added that the highly specialized programs will empower scholarship trainees by equipping them with the skills and qualifications required to confidently enter the labor market.

His Excellency added that the highly specialized programs will empower scholarship trainees by equipping them with the skills and qualifications required to confidently enter the labor market.

***NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism leads the Saudi Tourism ecosystem,with support from the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Tourism Development Fund. The Ministry sets the Kingdom's tourism sector strategy and is responsible for the development of policies and regulations,developing human capital,gathering statistics,and attracting investment.

It works in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority,which promotes Saudi Arabia as a global tourism destination,and the Tourism Development Fund,which executes the Ministry's investment strategy by providing funding for the sector's development.

Headed by His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb,the Ministry was founded in February 2020,following the opening of Saudi Arabia to international leisure tourists for the first time in its history in 2019. Saudi Arabia aims to welcome 100 million tourism visits by 2030,increasing the sector's contribution to GDP from 3% to 10%.

About the United Nations World Tourism Organization

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible,sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism,UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth,inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Saudi Arabia Invests in the Next Generation with its Tourism Trailblazers Program

Saudi Arabia Invests in the Next Generation with its Tourism Trailblazers Program