Domestic tourism can play a significant role in creating jobs for Saudis, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), said Tuesday. He was speaking during the final session of the First Forum of Human Development, held by the Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Management at Abha Palace Hotel in the Asir Province. Prince Sultan said that the Kingdom can eventually become the most important “tourist experience” in the region for citizens. He said tourism revenues are significant and can create a great deal of jobs. He hoped there will be investment in the “massive tourism potential” in the Kingdom. A recent statistical report by SCTA estimated that 590,000 jobs will be created in tourism sector until 2014. It said that the projected jobs will be created in accommodation, coffee shops and restaurants, attractions, travel agencies and the transport sector. The tourism sector has provided 458,000 jobs, of which 117,000 are occupied by Saudis, who constitute 26 percent of the sector's manpower, according to the report.
