Saudi Arabia to Provide 250,000 Jobs for Riyadh Expo 2030

Saudi Arabia aims to generate 250,000 job opportunities as it gears up to host the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh, aligning with its ambition to establish 1 million new roles within the tourism sector by 2030.

Minister's Vision for Tourism Employment

During the "Accelerated Progress in the Labour Market" session at the Global Labour Market Conference, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering sustainable employment. Al Khateeb emphasized the necessity of creating diverse and sustainable jobs, including the development of 1,000 additional hotel rooms to cater to the guests during the 2030 World Expo.

National Tourism Strategy and Global Priorities

Al Khateeb referenced the National Tourism Strategy initiated in 2019, aiming to elevate the tourism sector's contribution to the country's GDP from 3% to 10% by 2030, necessitating the creation of 1 million new jobs.

Global Tourism Outlook and Recovery

Addressing digitization's impact on the labour market, especially within sectors like trade and manufacturing, Al Khateeb highlighted global concerns regarding employment disruptions due to digitization, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Sectoral Impact and Recovery

Before the pandemic, the travel and tourism sector accounted for 10% of the global labour market, offering 330 million jobs. Al Khateeb noted the severe effects faced by airlines and hotels, which collectively lost 60 million jobs during the pandemic, but expressed optimism about a return to pre-pandemic figures.

Human Element in Tourism

Al Khateeb underscored the human aspect of the tourism sector, emphasizing its important role in sharing diverse cultures and experiences. He highlighted the sector's significance, providing 10% of global employment opportunities and projecting it as a huge growth area for the future.