Saudi Arabia sets global benchmark in tourism workforce development with NOSS

In a groundbreaking move to elevate its tourism sector, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has launched the “Pathways to Progress: Crafting National Occupational Standards for the Tourism Sector,” or NOSS. This initiative sets new global benchmarks for occupational skills standards in the tourism industry, aligning seamlessly with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals.

By benchmarking against the world’s best practices, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a leader in tourism workforce development.

The development of NOSS involved an extensive benchmarking study comparing Saudi Arabia’s framework with those of eight leading nations, including Germany, the UK, and Australia.

This rigorous comparison ensures that the best global practices are integrated into Saudi Arabia’s tourism training and development programs.

The initiative is strategically aligned with Vision 2030, aiming to significantly enhance the tourism sector’s contribution to the national gross domestic product and help create over 1 million new jobs by 2030.

NOSS introduces a comprehensive framework that integrates advanced training methodologies and industry best practices.

This framework ensures that Saudi Arabia’s tourism workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to compete globally.

A key aspect of NOSS is its seamless connection with educational and training institutions, ensuring a continuous supply of skilled professionals.

The initiative also offers internationally recognized certifications, further enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi Arabia’s tourism workforce.

The economic impact of the NOSS initiative is significant. In 2023, tourism’s direct contribution to GDP ranged between 4 percent and 4.4 percent, surpassing 2019 levels.

The number of direct tourism jobs reached 925,500, accounting for 5.8 percent of total employment in Saudi Arabia, a 62 percent increase from 2019 levels. By 2030, the tourism sector aims to increase its GDP contribution to 10 percent.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia has been ranked 15th globally for the most significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the travel and tourism sector, with an average annual decrease of 2.8 percent between 2010-2019. This underscores the initiative’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

The initiative has established partnerships with leading global tourism and educational institutions to share best practices and insights. Saudi Arabia actively participates in international forums, disseminating learnings and benefits from the NOSS initiative.

Furthermore, the framework and materials are madeavailable as open-source resources, encouraging global use and adaptation.

The success of NOSS is already evident in several key achievements. In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed over 100 million inbound and domestic tourists seven years ahead of the Vision 2030 timeline.

Inbound tourism saw record increases of 56 percent in the number of tourists and 37 percent in total tourism spending compared to 2019.

Leisure tourism experienced the highest growth at 153 percent compared to 2022.

Additionally, domestic tourism recorded 81.9 million domestic tourists, a growth of over 71 percent compared to 2019.

The NOSS initiative places a strong emphasis on empowering the workforce, particularly women.

In Q1 2024, women’s participation in the tourism sector workforce increased to over 45 percent, up from 39 percent in 2020 and only 5 percent in 2016. This significant increase highlights the initiative’s success in promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the workforce. The “Tourism Pioneers 2” and other training programs have prepared nearly 500,000 Saudis for tourism jobs since 2019.

The “Pathways to Progress: Crafting NOSS” initiative is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to setting new standards in tourism workforce development. By integrating global best practices, fostering international collaboration, and driving sustainable economic growth, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global leader in the tourism sector.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we look forward to the continued success and positive impact of NOSS on the global tourism industry.

• Hind Al-Zahid is the acting deputy, Tourism Capability Development at Saudi Ministry of Tourism.