Nine in 10 young Saudis look towards tourism and hospitality careers
- New report launched today shows the youth’s support for Saudi Arabia’s emerging tourism and hospitality sector.
- Research finds that tourism and hospitality are regarded as the top jobs that young Saudis are interested in, with 91% keen to pursue a career in tourism.
- Two thirds believe that the sector will be a key provider of employment for Saudi nationals.
- Young Saudis acknowledge the significance of the tourism sector, with over two thirds believing it will become more important for the Saudi economy over the next 10 years.
Red Sea Global RSG (formerly known as TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, has released the findings of a new study into the perceptions of Saudi youth and their parents towards the tourism and hospitality industries.
The research, based on more than 850 face-to-face interviews, found that young Saudis are less interested in careers in more ‘traditional’ sectors such as petrochemicals and oil and gas, but favour those within the country’s strategic growth industries aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
In total, nine in 10 (91%) young Saudis were interested in pursuing a career in tourism, compared to just over three quarters (77%) who were interested in a career in petrochemicals.
“A career in tourism or hospitality offers a range of opportunities like no other. From managing an international hotel group, to becoming a world class chef or entrepreneur, the sector has something for everyone. The Red Sea Global Company is at the heart of this emerging industry and once completed our destination will support 70,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs providing opportunities to people throughout the country."
he added.
A prosperous future
Young Saudis and their parents are acknowledging the roles that tourism and hospitality will play in the country’s new diversified economy with two thirds (69%) and six in 10 (59%) respectively believing the sectors will become more important for the Saudi economy over the next 10 years.
They are also optimistic that these roles will be a key driver of employment for Saudi nationals, with over two thirds (69%) of young Saudis believing that expanding tourism and hospitality industries would provide jobs for Saudi nationals.
“Saudi Arabia has a long and rich cultural heritage, and the people of this magnificent country have the opportunity to showcase this and their fabled hospitality with the rest of world,” said Mr Pagano.
“Our people are at the heart of our business and will be essential to the development of our ambitious destination, therefore it is encouraging to see so many young Saudis acknowledging the benefits that a career in this dynamic sector has to offer them.”
Tourism and hospitality deliver on lifestyle expectations
The appeal to young Saudis of a career in tourism or hospitality is driven by the perceptions of the lifestyle it will provide. Over eight in 10 (84%) believe that a career in tourism and hospitality will give them the salary and resources they expect to sustain themselves.
Although there is excitement at the prospect of employment in emerging sectors, as is the global trend, young Saudis understandably give importance to conventional factors such as salary (33%), job security (22%) and opportunities for personal growth (19%) when considering jobs.
About Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global (RSG - www.redseaglobal.com) is a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. It is a vertically integrated real estate developer with a diverse portfolio across tourism, residential, experiences, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and services. This includes the luxury regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea, which began welcoming guests in 2023, and AMAALA, which remains on track to welcome first guests in 2025. A third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat, will open this year, and RSG has also been entrusted with refurbishment works at Al Wajh Airport, focused on upgrading the existing terminal and infrastructure, and building a new international terminal. RSG is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to diversify its economy. Across its growing portfolio of destinations, subsidiaries, and businesses, RSG seeks to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment.
RSG is the visionary company behind some of the world’s most ambitious
development ventures, including luxury regenerative tourism destinations
such as The Red Sea and AMAALA.
Across its portfolio, RSG leverages the most innovative concepts,
strategies, and technologies to deliver projects that actively enhance
the wellbeing of customers, communities, and environments.
