Riyadh, February 29, 2024, Vice Minister of Tourism, Princess Haifa bint Mohammed bin Saud bin Khalid, unveiled a pivotal statistic indicating that the tourism sector currently employs 925,000 individuals, with an impressive 45% representation of women. In recognizing their indispensable contributions, Princess Haifa underscored the sector's commitment to nurturing human capital and fostering essential skills and capabilities for both the present and the future.
This revelation came to light during her participation in the dialogue session titled 'Creating a Future-proof Workforce in the Tourism Industry and Beyond,' held as part of the esteemed Human Capacity Initiative Conference in Riyadh. Joining Princess Haifa were esteemed participants including Dr. Christina Yan Zhang, CEO of the Metaverse Institute; Alistair Gosling, founder and CEO of EXTREME International; Hanin Al-Subaie, founder of the Darent application; and Mohammed Al-Mulhim, founder of Pangea Tourism and Adventure Company.
Princess Haifa emphasized insights from the World Economic Forum, indicating that 33% of global jobs are poised for transformation due to technological advancements, necessitating reskilling and skill development efforts. She underscored the pivotal role of technology within the tourism sector, emphasizing its potential to open new avenues and enhance operational efficiency. Investing in technology and its integration into the tourism landscape, she noted, is crucial for the professional development and advancement of individuals within the industry, with a particular emphasis on leveraging data science for informed decision-making processes.
Throughout the session, speakers reiterated the universal drive among cities worldwide to bolster their tourism sectors and leverage innovative tools to attract diverse segments of travelers. They emphasized the symbiotic relationship between virtual reality and the physical world, emphasizing the imperative of investing in future-facing opportunities within the field. Furthermore, they underscored the critical need for adept technicians capable of harnessing these emerging technologies to their fullest potential, emphasizing the importance of cultivating capabilities in dealing with modern tools and adapting them to enhance human experiences and quality of life.
