Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Center for the Development of the Touristic Human Resources (Takamul) said it would continue efforts to raise participation of women in the tourism sector from its present 22 percent to 30 percent after providing them with training programs especially designed for them.

Nasser Al-Nashmi, director of the center, which is an affiliate of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), said there would be programs to qualify women in various parts of the Kingdom to join the sector.

He said a total of 8,108 males and females graduated from the tourist institutes and their number was expected to rise by at least 10 percent in the next few years.

Nashmi said the center was planning to increase the number of the women trainees in tourism to 25,000 by 2020. He said there are now 405 women tourist guides whose number is expected to reach 1,400 by 2020.

The director said 474 women students specializing in tourism were sent abroad for higher studies under the scholarship program. He added that this number would rise to 1,200 next year.

Nashmi said the center was extending support to its partners in the tourist sector who are determined to Saudize their jobs.

“The SCTH every year honors establishments that nationalize jobs with special awards, which are distributed during the travel and tourism festivals,” he said.