RIYADH: Global tourism officials meeting in Saudi Arabia have highlighted the importance of investing in people to safeguard the future of the sector.
With the industry getting back on track following the coronavirus pandemic, renewed efforts are being made to promote careers in tourism and hospitality.
Experts and leaders from around the world, gathered in Riyadh for the UN World Tourism Organization’s World Tourism Day, agreed that investment in talent was crucial to creating a sustainable sector.
Speaking on Wednesday during a panel session titled “Investing in Our People,” Indonesia’s deputy minister for tourism product and events at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Rizki Handayani, said: “Human capital development is the most important aspect that plays key roles in the success of sustainable, or green tourism.
“We really need to put our efforts into the development of our human capital, their skill, their knowledge, as well as their capability and entrepreneurship.”
In 2020, more than 62 million jobs were lost globally due to the pandemic, many of those being in the tourism and hospitality industry. Saudi Arabia has since managed a return to work for 80 percent of the sector’s employees. But for many, job security fears are holding them back.
Haitham Mattar is managing director for the Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia at IHG Hotels and Resorts, the largest operator and employer in Saudi Arabia with more than 18,000 rooms in around 40 hotels.
He said: “It is now a critical task for both the government and private sector to re-instil the confidence in giving employees job security, but also financial certainty.”
While employment in hospitality can offer fast-tracked career opportunities, and international work, many people were now looking for flexibility, work-life balance, and well-being with jobs in areas such as hotels and airlines.
One of the biggest challenges currently being faced by companies was providing education and training for future employees. But CEO of Sommet Education, Benoit-Etienne Domenget, said globally these were not among the key investment areas.
“For too long, our community players of hospitality, tourism, and travel have considered human capital as a commodity,” he added.
Delegates at the session debated the need for expanded education beyond hospitality skills to ensure content was locally relevant and through the encouragement of entrepreneurial mindsets.
Christine Bockelmann, dean of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, said: “From a study in Portugal, we know that 50 percent of all people who have an education in tourism do not subsequently work in this field, so we have a problem with the attractivity of the jobs in this area.
“Education is very important and sustainability, and prosperity is very important. My key point is that we have to create a connectivity between these three topics,” she added.
World tourism leaders meeting in Riyadh highlight need for investment in people
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World tourism leaders meeting in Riyadh highlight need for investment in people
- Experts and leaders from around the world agreed that investment in talent was crucial to creating a sustainable sector
- In 2020, more than 62 million jobs were lost globally due to the pandemic, many of those being in the tourism and hospitality industry
Saudi Cabinet reiterates call for complete ceasefire in Gaza
- Cabinet emphasised the Kingdom’s view that stability can only be achieved through establishment of independent Palestinian state
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s call for a complete ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of civilians in the territory.
A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas entered a fifth day on Tuesday after the deal was extended to allow further releases of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The Cabinet also stressed the need to provide civilians with aid and emphasised the Kingdom’s view that security and stability can only be achieved in the region through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Cabinet also confirmed its commitment to combating climate change and prioritising the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment which it said reflects the Kingdom’s interest in enhancing international cooperation and finding concrete solutions to support the global economy.
The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Fifth Arab Water Conference which was recently held in Riyadh, and highlighted the Kingdom’s active role in addressing regional and international water challenges. This includes the establishment of the Global Water Organization and the provision of technical solutions that support achieving sustainable water security.
The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s participation in a number of recent international meetings as part of its efforts to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with international partners, and contribute to efforts to achieve justice and peace in the world.
Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia sent on Tuesday its 22nd plane carrying aid destined for Gaza, which departed from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt.
Operated by KSrelief, the aircraft is preparing to transport essential aid to those affected by the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Onboard the relief plane are 39 tons of aid supplies, including food, shelter, and medical provisions. This initiative is part of an ongoing campaign dedicated to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit
- The two countries enjoy a robust trade partnership
RIYADH: Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for an official visit to the Kingdom.
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, welcome the Brazilian leader and his accompanying delegation upon their arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The two countries enjoy a robust trade partnership, with Brazilian exports to Saudi Arabia during the first seven months of the year reaching $1.87 billion, the highest amongst all Arab countries.
Brazilian imports from the Kingdom were also the highest among Arab countries, standing at $1.98 billion.
‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO
- Media Oasis gathers Saudi delegation for 3-day event ahead of BIE Expo 2030 announcement
- For Diriyah, chief executive says 140m sq m must be finished by 2030 to welcome people from around world
PARIS: Media Oasis is a three-day event organized by the Saudi Ministry of Media, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic, development, and culture transformation.
The fifth edition, being held at the Pavillon Vendome in Paris ahead of the Bureau International des Expositions announcement of the Expo 2030 host country, gathers a delegation of Saudi ministers, the mayor of Riyadh, and the leadership of Saudi megaproject companies, to talk about their latest and upcoming projects under Vision 2030, what the Kingdom will look like by 2030, and why Riyadh is the place to be and host the next world expo following Osaka in 2025.
The Media Oasis comprises nine sections from hospitality to culture and sport with Riyadh Expo 2030, Diriyah, NEOM, the Ministry of Sport, Visit Saudi and more present to showcase the “city of tomorrow,” Saudi heritage, and the country’s cultural gems.
The Ministry of Sport is working on 33 new events for 2024 in addition to hosting Asia 2027, Trojena winter games, with sustainability factored into the Kingdom’s transformation efforts, sustainable sports events, and activities.
Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Group, told Arab News how Diriyah was at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation journey for 2030 and beyond.
Diriyah is a model for urban development and cultural renaissance, and an ambitious project aiming to become one of the leading culture centers, tourism hubs, and entertainment destinations on a global scale.
“We’re very blessed at this point in time to have two great visionary leaders of one time, King Salman, and the dynamic Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their vision of the Kingdom to give happiness and well-being to all its people is 2030.
“The reason why this Expo is more important to Saudi than anybody is because we feel that it will allow us to welcome people from all over the world to see the accomplishments of the Kingdom by 2030.
“The crown prince said we will not only show our commitment, but we will also physically be there to show how much this means to us and I think it was a very thoughtful and brilliant strategy,” Inzerillo said.
Moving forward and beyond the announcement, the megaprojects are in progress to achieve the targets of Vision 2030, alongside a continued conversation between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world to meet the Kingdom’s economic, culture, and hospitality objectives.
With 50 years of experience in the tourism industry, Inzerillo highlighted authenticity and passion as a driving force behind the Diriyah projects, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the birthplace of the Kingdom.
“Winning the bid is when the work begins, because we have a giant task to do to get everything completed by 2030. In the case of Diriyah, 140 million square meters must be finished by 2030 and we will be ready to welcome everybody from all over the world,” he added.
In the six years leading up to 2030 the biggest challenge was expected to be manpower.
Inzerillo said: “We’re lucky because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a very young population, highly educated.
“What Singapore did in 60 years, what the Emiratis did just in tourism in 30 years, the crown prince wants to accomplish that in 15 years.
“Diriyah will be very famous by 2030. Now we have to get NEOM going, Red Sea going, the city of Riyadh will be unrecognizable, one of the great G20 cities of the world, as the crown prince continues his global leadership as a G20 head of government,” he added.
Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque
- A fatwa is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law
RIYADH: The head of religious affairs at the two holy mosques Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais announced that royal approval had been issued to hold a symposium on fatwas at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
A fatwa is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law, and the symposium will focus on rulings at the two holy mosques and their impacts on facilitating visitors to the religious sites.
Al-Sudais said the symposium is an extension of the efforts of the Saudi government to serve the two holy mosques and conveying their message to the world in accordance with the Kingdom’s moderate approach based on the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
He explained that the approval to hold this symposium supports the shift in methods of issuing fatwas and their digitalization in a way that suits and meets the religious needs of the visitors of the mosques, while helping them perform their rituals.
Al-Sudais added that the approval of King Salman to hold the symposium reflected the Kingdom’s concern for fatwas, given their direct impact on the pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques.
