Saudi tourism growth is entering a new phase, with skills, leadership and local talent becoming increasingly important to the Kingdom’s ambitious tourism transformation.
Saudi Arabia has created tourism jobs at an impressive pace. However, industry experts say the next challenge is to ensure that Saudi nationals gain the skills and experience needed to build long-term careers and take leadership positions.
Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International and a Professor of Management at the George Washington University School of Business, highlighted the issue ahead of WTM Spotlight Riyadh.
Saudi Tourism Needs More Local Talent
According to the latest tourism establishment data from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the Kingdom has just over one million employees working in tourism activities.
However, only around one-quarter of those workers are Saudi nationals.
Therefore, Osta believes the focus must now move beyond job creation. The Kingdom also needs to develop specialist skills, career opportunities and future tourism leaders.
“Saudi Arabia has created tourism employment at remarkable speed,” Osta said. “The next phase is about depth.”
He added that Saudi nationals need opportunities to enter the sector, develop expertise, move into leadership and eventually establish businesses of their own.
Training Must Lead to Real Careers
Osta also stressed that training alone cannot solve the tourism industry’s talent needs.
Instead, training providers, employers and government institutions must connect qualifications with real employment opportunities.
“Training centres alone do not create careers,” he said.
According to Osta, successful workforce development requires occupational standards, recognised qualifications, employer demand and clear career progression.
This approach could help Saudi Arabia turn rapid employment growth into lasting national expertise.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh to Examine Tourism Jobs
These issues will feature prominently at the inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh.
The event will take place from 8 to 10 September 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.
Tourism leaders, policymakers, educators and international industry experts will gather to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding visitor economy.
The event will also examine how the Kingdom can advance the tourism ambitions outlined under Vision 2030.
One Million Tourism Careers
On the final day, Osta will moderate the Future Stage session titled “Talent & Leadership Panel: One Million Tourism Careers – Delivering Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Vision Beyond 2030.”
Chemonics International is partnering on the session.
The discussion will focus on the talent and leadership required to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of attracting 150 million visitors and creating more than one million tourism jobs by 2030.
Moreover, the panel will consider what the sector needs as tourism moves from rapid expansion towards long-term development.
Industry Leaders Join the Discussion
The panel will feature senior representatives from Saudi Arabia and international tourism markets.
Participants include Salem Al Shahrani of Rua Al Haram Al Makki, Raed Alghamdi of Red Sea Global, Fahad Alhuqbani of King Saud University, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund C. Bartlett, Muhannad Alghanmi of Qiddiya and Salman A. Alarifi of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism.
Together, they will examine how education, technology and industry demand can create stronger career pathways.
Technology Will Shape Future Tourism Jobs
Saudi tourism growth will also create demand for new types of skills.
The next generation of tourism professionals will need expertise in areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence and data analytics
- Digital marketing
- Revenue management
- Augmented and virtual reality
- Crowd management
- Event operations
- Risk and safety management
- Sustainability
- Bilingual guest services
- Cross-cultural communication
As a result, tourism careers will extend well beyond traditional hotel and hospitality positions.
Major Projects Could Create New Opportunities
Salem Al Shahrani said future tourism destinations will require professionals from a wide range of disciplines.
These include engineering, infrastructure, hospitality, retail, culture, mobility and technology.
He said King Salman Gate is expected to generate more than 300,000 jobs by 2036 through an integrated destination near AlMasjid AlHaram.
The project will serve residents, pilgrims and visitors.
According to Al Shahrani, Saudi Arabia has an opportunity to develop local expertise across these different professions while creating clear routes into specialist and leadership positions.
Young Saudis at the Centre of Tourism Expansion
WTM Spotlight Riyadh will also highlight the opportunities available to young Saudi nationals.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE at RX, said the Kingdom’s tourism expansion requires its talent pipeline to grow at the same pace.
She noted that destinations, giga-projects, hotels and visitor attractions are continuing to emerge across Saudi Arabia.
Consequently, investing in people will remain essential for turning tourism investment into sustainable economic value.
Vision 2030 Drives Tourism Transformation
Saudi Arabia has placed tourism at the centre of its broader economic diversification strategy.
Vision 2030 aims to reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil while creating new industries and employment opportunities.
Tourism represents one of the key sectors supporting that transformation.
However, long-term success will depend not only on attracting visitors and building destinations. The Kingdom must also develop the workforce capable of managing those destinations and delivering high-quality visitor experiences.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh Connects Global Tourism
WTM Spotlight Riyadh aims to connect Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem with international markets and businesses.
The event will provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration and commercial partnerships.
At the same time, it will give tourism professionals a platform to discuss the skills and leadership required for the sector’s next stage.
People Will Define Saudi Tourism’s Next Chapter
Saudi Arabia has already made significant progress in expanding its tourism industry.
Now, the challenge is to ensure that local talent grows alongside investment.
Strong education, recognised qualifications, practical experience and clear career pathways can help Saudi nationals take a larger role in the sector.
Ultimately, Saudi tourism growth will depend on more than new hotels, destinations and attractions. Developing people and future leaders could prove just as important to delivering the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions beyond 2030.
