Saudi Tourism Ministry And Sabbar Unite To Develop Tourism Sector Workforce

In a significant move towards bolstering the tourism sector's workforce, the Ministry of Tourism has inked a memorandum of cooperation with Sabbar, a leading digital information technology company. This collaboration, formalized in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, aims to enhance national human resources in tourism, aligning with the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement was signed by Hind Al-Zahid, Acting Undersecretary of the Tourism Ministry for Tourism Human Resources Development, and Mohamed Taha Ibrahim, Founder and CEO of Sabbar.

The partnership underscores a mutual commitment to develop human capital within the tourism industry. It seeks to maximize the employment of Saudis in various tourism roles, contributing significantly to the national economy. This initiative is part of broader efforts to expand the workforce in a sector that already boasts over 925,000 employees, including more than 241,000 Saudi nationals as of 2023.

With a current localization rate of 39% in the hospitality sector, the Ministry of Tourism is on a mission to create an additional one million jobs by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects the kingdom's strategy to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil revenues. The partnership with Sabbar is expected to play a crucial role in achieving these objectives by leveraging digital solutions to enhance workforce capabilities and efficiency.

The memorandum not only aims at job creation but also at ensuring that the burgeoning tourism sector benefits from a skilled and competent workforce. This strategic move is anticipated to significantly contribute to realizing Saudi Vision 2030's objectives, marking a pivotal step towards transforming the kingdom into a global tourism hub.

With inputs from SPA