WTO lauds opening of jobs in tourism sector

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has become the fastest creator of jobs in the Kingdom, according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO).

Taleb Al-Refai, secretary-general of the WTO, said that the Kingdom’s strategy to link national heritage with tourism is considered the ideal model because of its success recently.

Speaking after participating in the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Antalya on Sept. 30, Al-Refai said credit for this must go to Prince Sultan bin Salman, the SCTNH president, for drawing up this strategy, which has paid dividends locally and internationally.

Al-Refai said there was significant praise at the meeting for Prince Sultan’s initiatives, which included the launch of a national handicraft program, and the establishment of state-owned companies for the development of tourism destinations.

On challenges in the Middle East tourism sector, Al-Refai said: “The most significant challenge is the lack of security, stability and the wars in many Arab countries. However, the WTO said there was significant growth in this sector, particularly in the Arab Gulf states because of security provided and services for tourists.”

He said that the Saudi tourism sector was dynamic and would continue to provide jobs for young Saudis in future.