Under the auspices of Saudi Vision 2030, a transformative agenda aimed at diversifying the economy and bolstering tourism, the Red Sea’s “Ummahat” islands are experiencing a renaissance led by ambitious Saudi men and women. Located in the Tabuk region of northwestern Saudi Arabia, these islands are distinguished by their pristine natural beauty, unspoiled beaches, and crystal-clear blue waters.
High Potential for Tourism
The “Ummahat” islands are emerging as a tourist hotspot, offering a diverse range of environmental and marine experiences suitable for activities such as diving, snorkeling, water sports, and sea safaris. The Red Sea International Company is at the forefront of converting these islands into a world-class destination through the development of infrastructure, hotels, and luxury resorts.
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The company is also committed to setting new global benchmarks in responsible development. It is poised to generate over 120,000 direct and indirect new job opportunities across its destinations, with approximately 70 percent of contracts awarded to registered Saudi suppliers.
Youth Driving Tourism Development
Saudi youth are playing a pivotal role in the tourism development of the “Ummahat” islands. They are engaged in various sectors including tour organization, hotel and resort management, and the provision of exceptional tourism services. These young entrepreneurs are also innovating by leveraging the islands’ natural and cultural resources while focusing on sustainability and environmental protection.
Empowering Saudi Youth
The hotels and resorts developed by the Red Sea International Company are significantly contributing to job creation for young Saudis of both genders. Abdul Rahman Masawi, the manager of Turtle Bay Hotel, highlights the roles available to Saudi youth within these hotels, emphasizing the investment in national talent as an investment in the kingdom’s future.
He outlines the wealth of job opportunities provided by the company in various fields such as hospitality, customer service, culinary arts, entertainment, management, marketing, and more. Additionally, Saudi youth are also employed in technical and artistic professions like engineering, maintenance, IT, design, environmental roles, and sustainability, all contributing to the efficient operation of the resorts in alignment with the company’s vision for sustainable tourism.
Required Skills
Masawi asserts that the Saudi tourism labor market demands a wide range of skills and experiences. Foremost are personal skills like effective communication, exceptional customer service, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, flexibility, initiative, responsibility, politeness, and a good appearance. There is also a need for technical skills such as foreign language proficiency, particularly English, understanding of various cultures, and the basics of tourism and hospitality, along with digital, administrative, and organizational skills.
Inspirational Success Stories
Among these youths, there are numerous inspiring success stories. For instance, Omar Al-Juhani, an ambitious young man from Umluj, began his hospitality journey at the ground level. After graduating from university in Umluj with an English degree, he joined the Turtle Bay Hotel team as a front office vehicle leader.
Al-Juhani’s passion for tourism led him from driving guests to becoming a receptionist in 2022, proving that diligence and ambition are the keys to success in the flourishing tourism sector. He believes hospitality offers endless job opportunities, especially with the growth of operations at the Red Sea International Company.
Saudi Women in Tourism
Raghad Khayyat, the Captain of Food and Beverages at Turtle Bay Hotel, serves as an exemplary figure of the ambitious Saudi youth working in the tourism and hospitality sector. She chose this field for its rapid global expansion and its significant economic potential, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and the company’s commitment to training and development programs. Khayyat is also dedicated to showcasing regional identity and culture through local cuisine.
The experiences of the Red Sea International Company’s hotels and resorts indicate the crucial role played by Saudi youth in shaping the future of domestic tourism in the Red Sea islands, contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and diversifying national income sources.
