Saudi Arabia invests $100 million annually to enhance skills in tourism sector

Saudi Arabia’s minister of tourism?Ahmed Al-Khateeb?recently revealed that the Kingdom invests SAR375 million (around $100 million) in skills development within the tourism sector, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to enhancing the capabilities of Saudi nationals.

Speaking at the Manafea Forum in Madinah, Al-Khateeb outlined ambitious targets for increasing local participation in the tourism industry and streamlining licensing procedures to further catalyze sectoral growth.

Investment in skills development

The minister announced that the annual investment has already contributed to increasing local participation rates to 40%. The ministry also aims to increase the level of Saudi participation to 50% in the near future. The focus on skills development reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to nurturing a skilled workforce capable of driving the tourism sector’s expansion.

Tourism sector surge

Highlighting the sector’s transformative potential, Al-Khateeb outlines Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position its tourism industry among the top 10 globally.

With a vision to contribute 10% to the economy by 2030, up from 5% last year, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector will witness significant growth and economic impact.

Streamlining licensing procedures

Al-Khateeb also underscored the Kingdom’s efforts to expedite the issuance of licenses within the tourism sector. Hence, it aims to reduce the processing time for licenses from five days to instant issuance.

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