The Saudi tourism sector has the potential to create 5 million jobs for Saudis over the next 10 years, a businessman said recently.
The sector is currently growing at 10 percent, which could rise to 30 percent annually, depending on certain conditions, said Khalil Bahadur, a member of the tourism and hotels committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the Kingdom must get the infrastructure in place and trained workers for this to happen.
In addition, the Kingdom should extend its vacation periods to more than three months a year. Most investors lose money because they have to pay workers for nothing in the off-season, he said.
He said Makkah and Madinah are the exceptions because these cities have visitors all year round. However, many Saudis stay in the country to have their holidays domestically because of the political upheaval in neighboring countries, he said.
Hassan Saqr, chairman of the Tourism Resorts Group, said domestic tourism was growing at 15 percent a year, with families making up 80 percent of local tourists.
Saqr said the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities has introduced several measures to boost tourism in the country, but further obstacles should be tackled that hinder growth.
Saeed Al-Adlouni, executive director of La Fontaine, said the industry has become lucrative for investors over the last 10 years. His company plans to open more resorts over the next five years, bringing its total to 40 in the country. He said La Fontaine brought high standards and a local touch to the Kingdom's hospitality sector.
Tourism can create 5m jobs in 10 years
