WTM Spotlight Riyadh to highlight human capital as key to Saudi Arabia’s next phase of tourism growth
As Saudi Arabia moves into the next phase
of its tourism transformation, developing the skills, leadership and local capabilities
required to translate unprecedented investment into sustainable economic value will
become increasingly important, according to Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic
Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International, and
Professor of Management at the George Washington University School of Business.
Rapid Growth Achieved:
Over 1 million employees now work in tourism activities, but only about 25% are Saudi nationals.
Next Phase Challenge:
Moving from scale (job creation) to depth (developing Saudi talent into specialists, leaders, and entrepreneurs).
Key Insight from Ibrahim Osta (Chemonics International):
> “The next phase is about depth: Saudi nationals entering the sector, building specialist expertise, progressing into leadership, and increasingly creating businesses of their own.”
WTM Spotlight Riyadh (8–10 Sept 2026):
A major event at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center to explore talent, leadership, and sustainable growth in tourism.
Talent & Leadership Panel:
Focused on delivering Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of 150 million visitors and 1 million+ tourism jobs. Panelists include leaders from Red Sea Global, King Saud University, Qiddiya, Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism.
Future Skills Needed:
AI, data analytics, AR/VR, digital marketing, sustainability, crowd management, bilingual guest services, and cross-cultural intelligence.
King Salman Gate Project:
Expected to generate 300,000 jobs by 2036, highlighting the need for diverse expertise beyond frontline hospitality.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia is shifting from building tourism infrastructure to building local human capital. The emphasis is on creating career pathways, leadership opportunities, and specialist skills so that Saudi nationals can drive the sector’s long-term success.
