The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a "Tourism and Hospitality" curriculum for third-year secondary school students, a move described by education and tourism experts as a qualitative revolution in keeping pace with labor market trends and a window into the development of qualified national cadres capable of keeping pace with the rapid development of economic and tourism activities in the Kingdom.
Enhancing students' tourism skills and awareness
The new curriculum is based on a self-study approach, enabling students to acquire knowledge and applied skills in the fields of tourism and hospitality. Its content includes tourism and hospitality concepts, understanding tourist behavior, supporting entrepreneurship, and highlighting the Kingdom's tourism potential. The curriculum aims to foster national belonging and consolidate Saudi identity and culture by understanding tourism as an important contributor to the national economy.
Supporting the national economy and developing the tourism sector
According to Khaled Al-Daghim, President of the Saudi Tourism Media Association, the inclusion of this curriculum represents a strategic step toward preparing a qualified generation in the tourism sector, a pillar of the national economy. It also contributes to promoting a culture of responsible tourism and stimulating creativity and innovation among students, enabling them to become true partners in developing the sector and implementing the goals of Vision 2030.
The Kingdom notes that exceeding its target of receiving 100 million domestic and international tourists ahead of schedule has prompted it to raise its ambitions to 150 million tourists annually by 2030, with a focus on developing domestic and international tourism and enhancing the attractiveness of the Kingdom's various regions.
Localizing jobs and opening new horizons for youth
Al-Daghim explained that the inclusion of this approach directly contributes to the localization of 1.6 million jobs in the tourism sector by 2030, by increasing the percentage of Saudization in 41 leadership and specialized professions, including, for example, hotel manager, hotel operations manager, and travel agency manager. This aims to empower national cadres and increase their active participation in the sector, enhancing the professional sustainability of Saudi youth and ensuring continued economic growth.
Preparing a qualified professional generation for the future
Incorporating a tourism and hospitality curriculum into secondary education is not merely an academic step; it is a national strategy to link education to the job market and prepare students for the real-life challenges of the tourism sector. The curriculum also provides opportunities to develop their practical and social skills, creating a national workforce capable of competing globally and providing tourism services according to high-quality standards.
The inclusion of the "Tourism and Hospitality" curriculum represents a key focus for achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030, by supporting education, employment, and the national economy, and stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship among students. It also contributes to building a developed and sustainable tourism sector capable of attracting more tourists and increasing the Kingdom's contribution to the gross domestic product, while creating quality job opportunities for Saudi youth. This reflects the Kingdom's commitment to developing tourism as a key driver of economic diversification.
