The Council of Ministers today approved the regulatory arrangements for the World Tourism Academy which resulted from cooperation between the Kingdom, represented by the Ministry of Tourism, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Ahmed Al-Khatib, Minister of Tourism, emphasized that today’s Cabinet approval aligns with the leadership’s aspirations and directives regarding the need to explore all avenues for upgrading tourism services in the Kingdom, while also highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in the global tourism sector, stressing that developing the local workforce needed to work in tourism facilities strengthens support for and attracts investors in the sector, noting that the International Academy of Tourism is part of the human capital development strategy in the tourism sector, as it will work to attract the best expertise from various countries around the world and provide training and educational programs to advance tourism education not only in the Kingdom but globally.

Al-Khatib noted that the Academy will be open to students and trainees from both inside and outside the Kingdom, through a partnership with the World Tourism Organization, with which the Ministry of Tourism has signed an agreement to this effect. He explained that the Academy will contribute to the development of the tourism industry worldwide and will work to build Saudi expertise capable of leading the Kingdom’s tourism sector and its major projects in line with international best practices in this field.

Al-Khatib revealed that the World Tourism Academy’s role will not be limited to attracting male and female students; but will also include training professionals in the local and international tourism sector to develop their skills and provide them with broader opportunities for career advancement.