RIYADH — Although the process of Saudization has started in 1985, major recent regulatory and economic reforms have accelerated the process under the Saudi Vision 2030 with the aim of increasing the involvement of young Saudi nationals in the country’s economic activities, promoting non-oil sectors and improving overall quality of life.

The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2021, taking place this week at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (Sept. 7–9), is a strong supporter of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and believes in recognizing the Saudi talent abounding in the hospitality and tourism sectors following the Saudization process. New to this year’s program The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia has launched the Saudi Hospitality Talent Award.

With the changing hospitality landscape in the Kingdom fulfilling the aims of the Saudi Vision 2030 by encouraging the recruitment of nationals, as well as encouraging adequate investment in their future, the popularity of the hotel & hospitality sector has grown contributing to healthy representation of Saudi nationals employed across the industry.

With accelerated Saudization, many sectors have achieved the set targets and Saudi Arabia now has the lowest dependence on foreign labor among GCC countries at about 77%, according to data from S&P Ratings.

Tariq Valani, Senior Vice President IT - Middle East, Africa, India & Turkey, Accor Group, agrees that with all the mega projects on the horizon, the hospitality industry in the Kingdom needs more Saudi talent.

“Addressing the topic of Saudization and how we can attract talent within the hospitality and tourism sector is a topic of discussion not to be missed. The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia is a great event and platform for young professionals to get a feel for what the industry is all about and more so, what technology opportunities are available to them.”

Dr. James Morgan, dean of the International Tourism and Hospitality College and The Hospitality Leadership Forum Speaker, too concurred that with so many mega projects on the anvil the pool of talented national youth will be where companies will go to in search of their requirements.

“With over 3,500 tourism investment licenses already issued and a target to welcome 100 million tourists annually by 2030, a sharp surge in vocational skills training is needed to meet the demands of the tourism and hospitality industry,” Dr. Morgan said.

“From the development of luxury destination products like the Red Sea Project and Qiddya to the regeneration of UNESCO registered cultural attractions as well as the upgrading of religious sites; a world-class Saudi workforce needs to be developed at pace,” he added.

Imran Changezi, Director Business Development – Hospitality, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, agrees tourism and hospitality play a pivotal role in Vision 2030, and the giga-projects, which are being created and built are critical to the success of this vision implementation.

“I’m delighted to be involved in the first ever Hotel Show Saudi Arabia Live event in Riyadh this September. This special inaugural event is reflective of the exciting opportunities there are for tourism and hospitality in the Kingdom and I’m hugely excited to participate and network with fellow industry in person,” Changezi said.

Jasmeet Bakshi, group event director - dmg events, organizer of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia, explained “The inaugural edition of the Saudi Hospitality Talent Award offers Saudi nationals operating in the hotel and hospitality industry an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and network with peers and senior level professionals.”

Nominated and shortlisted candidates as well as their industry colleagues and peers are all invited to celebrate their achievements, live and in-person on Sept. 8 at The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia where the winners will be announced. The awards are judged by a stellar panel of judges.

The award judges are: Ali Hammad, Nationalization Projects GM - Ministry of Tourism; Shaji Thomas, advisor - Royal Commission for Riyadh City; Othman Haddi, executive adviser - Royal Commission for Riyadh City; Rosanna Chopra, CEO – EBDA; Noelle Homsy, experiential lodging – specialist; Dr. James Morgan, dean - International Tourism and Hospitality College in KSA; Rabih Feghali, KSA Chair - Hospitality Asset Management Association; Wafiq Youssef, COO - Kerten Hospitality; Stefan Breg, KSA managing director & group strategy director – Keane; and Tariq Valani, senior vice president IT - Middle East, Africa, India and Turkey. — SG