Saudi Arabia is actively channeling significant investments into its tourism sector, emphasizing job creation, particularly for women and young people.

These initiatives are integral to the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy and enhance the contribution of tourism to employment and overall economic growth.

By expanding opportunities within the industry, Saudi Arabia seeks to cultivate a sustainable tourism sector that benefits a wide array of societal segments.

A joint report from the Ministry of Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council highlights the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global tourism workforce, especially among women and youth.

This sector, which is vital for many economies, experienced notable declines during the pandemic, but Saudi Arabia is determined to reverse these trends.

The Kingdom has made impressive strides in empowering women in the tourism industry, with women currently comprising 42 percent of the domestic tourism workforce, illustrating their growing influence and active participation in shaping the future of this vital sector.

According to the World Tourism Organization, women occupy 22 percent of leadership positions in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, with 46 percent employed in various roles throughout the industry.

These figures reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting gender equality and increasing female leadership at multiple levels within the tourism landscape.

The ongoing efforts to integrate more women into the workforce are part of a broader movement to create a more inclusive and diverse environment in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

In 2019, the global travel and tourism industry supported approximately 48.4 million women and 19 million young individuals.

However, by 2022, those figures had declined to 42 million and 16.1 million, respectively, showcasing the pandemic’s lingering effects on these vulnerable demographics.

Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia is committed to reversing these declines by fostering new job opportunities and driving workforce growth.

Looking to the future, the Kingdom is focusing on enhancing its tourism infrastructure to cater to the anticipated increase in both international and domestic tourists.

Significant projects, including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Diriyah Gate, are poised to not only improve the tourism appeal of Saudi Arabia but also provide a robust foundation for long-term job creation.

These ambitious developments are expected to create thousands of jobs, making tourism a key pillar of the country’s economic transformation.

The Saudi government’s commitment to investing in tourism aligns with its objectives under Vision 2030, aiming to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP significantly.

By prioritizing job creation and promoting gender equality, Saudi Arabia is not only working to restore the tourism workforce but also to ensure that its benefits reach a broader demographic, particularly women and youth.

As the country continues to diversify its economy and invest in tourism, the focus on empowering women and young people positions Saudi Arabia as a model for sustainable tourism development in the region.

With a clear strategy in place, the Kingdom is set to redefine its tourism landscape, offering vast opportunities for the next generation.