Saudi Hospitality Scheme Won Tourism Impact Award
The initiative received recognition at the inaugural Beyond Tourism Day held in Geneva this month.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Travel — General
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The World Economic Forum has named a Saudi Arabian hospitality talent program as one of six Beyond Tourism Impact Stars. The initiative, created by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and Kearney, aims to strengthen the national workforce as the tourism sector grows to represent 14.1 percent of the country's GDP.
Why it matters
This award highlights the strategy to create a resilient and inclusive tourism sector by training local talent. The program serves as a model for creating commercial value while simultaneously developing a sustainable hospitality workforce.
The Saudi tourism sector currently accounts for 14.1 percent of the national GDP. Globally, the industry is projected to reach $16 trillion in GDP by 2034.
The players
World Economic Forum
This international non-governmental organization is based in Geneva and is known for hosting high-level annual meetings of political and business leaders.
Saudi Ministry of Tourism
This government body oversees the development and regulation of the tourism sector within Saudi Arabia.
Kearney
This global management consulting firm partnered with the Saudi government to develop the hospitality talent initiative.
The details
The Beyond Tourism Impact Stars program identifies solutions that combine destination strengthening with commercial viability. Other inaugural recipients include Accor, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, Discova, GHE Impact Ventures, and Iberostar.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Winners were announced at Beyond Tourism Day in Geneva.
September 27, 2026: World Tourism Day occurs two days after the ceremony.
2026: Middle East travel and tourism GDP is forecast to contract 14.5 percent.
2034: The global tourism sector is expected to generate $16 trillion in GDP.
The Big Picture
The selection of award winners follows a pattern set by the inaugural Beyond Tourism Day. This award marks the launch of the World Economic Forum's formal recognition program for tourism initiatives.
Travelers may observe increased professional standards in Saudi hospitality as the government continues its heavy investment in workforce training. These improvements are intended to support the Kingdom's goal of expanding its tourism sector infrastructure over the next decade.
The takeaway
Recognizing hospitality education programs reflects a broader industry shift toward human capital development. Destinations that successfully scale their local labor force are likely to see the greatest resilience in the coming decade of tourism growth.
Further reading
For more context on international industry trends, visit Travel — General.
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