Arab News, Wed, Oct 02, 2024 | Rabi al-Awwal 28, 1446
Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth key to Vision 2030: Accor CEO
Saudi Arabia:
French hospitality firm Accor is optimistic about
the growth potential in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, which is being driven by
the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives and rich history, said the company’s top
official.
In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of
the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai, Sebastien Bazin, group chairman and CEO
of Accor, highlighted the pivotal role of the hospitality industry in reducing
unemployment among Saudis.
Bolstering the tourism sector and reducing
joblessness is crucial for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom embarks on an economic
diversification effort aimed at decreasing its dependence on oil.
The National Tourism Strategy of Saudi Arabia aims
to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase the sector’s contribution
to the nation’s gross domestic product from 6 percent to 10 percent.
Bazin said: “I am very bullish about Saudi Arabia.
They have a plan, they have a leader, they have a vision, they have the right
brands, and they have the financial resources, geography, and history. So, it is
the country not to miss.”
He added: “They (Saudi Arabia) have something
which is gold in their hands — the population. You have 70 percent of the
population under 35 years old. Many of them don’t have a job. They are seeking
and asking for a job.”
The CEO explained that the generosity of Saudi
culture would play a significant role in encouraging the country’s youth to
enter the travel and hospitality industry. “It is an enormous base to build
upon.”
Bazin also pointed to the Middle East’s emergence
as a global tourist hotspot for both international and domestic travelers. He
identified several factors fueling tourism growth in the region, including
“great airlines, great infrastructure, safety protocols, food and beverage
venues, and impeccable weather.”
Bazin added: “I am very positive. You are going to
see a 5 percent to 7 percent demand growth globally in the world of travel and
tourism. I think that growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Saudi will
probably be well above 10 percent. Much faster, much bigger than the rest of the
world.”
He further stated that the growth of tourism in
the GCC and the Middle East will be driven by the emerging middle class and
domestic travelers.
Regarding the impact of advanced technologies like
artificial intelligence on the hospitality sector, Bazin expressed a cautious
optimism, asserting that AI should enhance rather than replace human
interactions.
“We know it (AI) is going to be big. It certainly
is going to be very important for data before and after your stay; all that
seamless journey will probably be Generative AI-driven. During the stay, where
you’re going to be with me in the hotel, AI will be instrumental. But I don’t
want AI to surpass human interactions,” said Bazin.
He added: “I want you to say ‘hello’ when you pop
in, and I want my people to ask you, ‘How are you today?’ That human interaction
is one of the reasons why you travel — to discover somebody else’s culture and
religion. So, AI is a critical and important enhancer, but should not be a
replacer of what we do every day.”