Layan Damanhouri
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH – There is a demand for local tourism in Jeddah and a potential capacity to absorb another 1,000 to 2,500 rooms, according to hoteliers during a panel discussion at the Hospitality Business Conclave 2016 held at Park Hyatt Jeddah on Monday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, general manager of Park Hyatt Ashwini Kumar told Saudi Gazette that Jeddah attracts businessmen, religious as well as local tourists from all over the Kingdom.
As for religious tourism, Kumar predicts the situation will soon change. “Religious tourism, in my opinion, will change in the near future because of the rise of hotels in Makkah that are affordable and of good quality. So we are seeing a trend where more people will go directly to Makkah, especially once the rail starts and the new airport opens,” he said.
The one-day conclave offered an opportunity for hoteliers and experts in the hospitality industry to meet with international solution providers to promote their newest products and exchange ideas about the latest trends and future prospects for hotels in the Kingdom.
The main elements customers are looking for are quick service, clean room, and technology and wireless Internet, causing a demand for more 4-star hotels in Jeddah.
When asked if domestic tourism is reaching its potential in attracting visitors, he said, “I think there’s more potential. The Saudi Commission for Tourism is doing their best especially during school holidays when they host festivals such as ‘Jeddah Ghair’ and the ongoing shopping festival where they are expecting approximately over a million people. There is room for hotels to work together with the government sector in coming up with different packages to attract more local tourists.”
He further said “we need more parks and public facilities where families can go. This is something the infrastructure for domestic tourism needs.”
Organized city tours can attract more tourists in the city, he added.
On hotel infrastructure and design, Kumar stressed on smart technology as an important component in saving energy in air conditioning and lighting. For instance, hotels have been switching to LED lighting for more economical purposes.
“New technology can do wonders compared to before,” he said. “One thing I want to implement is solar energy. We have sun here 365 days, so how can we use solar energy and operate certain equipment such as hot water system through solar energy? The technology is there, but it’s how we are going to adopt it and make the best use of it is.”
He added, “so this is something people who are building new hotels are taking into consideration. But the existing hotels can also change and make use of this technology.”
However, with a high demand in visiting the coastal city situated near the holy sites, some challenges have recently arisen for hoteliers.
When asked about the challenges hotel management faces in Saudi Arabia, Kumar said getting the manpower, especially for the long-term. “It’s an issue which the hospitality sector has to work with government in how we should move forward in the next 5 years in training people, how to make them understand that this is a profession where they could work not just in short-term. A job in the hospitality sector is not easy. You really have to have a passion in our industry where the customer is always right. So to have that attitude, that mindset, it takes some time for the young people.”
Since the implementation of the Saudization policy by the Ministry of Labor, hiring local talent has proven to be not as easy as expected. “Some efforts are there but it has to be taken by everybody. When we are asked to put a certain percentage of Saudis, we don’t find the people to fill in the spots,” said Kumar.
It is difficult to find Saudis who are qualified and trained, he added. “We need training, investment, and education.”
One problem faced is Saudi applicants with degrees in other fields, causing a mismatch between skills and job market. “Many plan to work for short term until they find a job in their original fields,” he said, adding that unemployed Saudis apply for jobs in the hospitality sector until they get an offer in another job. “All the stakeholders have to take responsibility and work together.”
“There are passionate people in the industry,” he added. “We need to find them and coach them.”
