INAYAT Ramjean, Director of Business Development of the Jeddah Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria Jeddah – Qasr Al Sharq, has been awarded the Circle of Excellence for Commercial Excellence out of 58 other countries across Europe, Africa, and Middle East. "From a personal perspective, I am honored to have received this award, but it is overshadowed by my exhilaration of knowing that this award is won in Saudi Arabia among 58 other countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa," he said. Inayat said Hilton is an iconic brand in hospitality on a global scale with an unmatched portfolio of high quality services and a reputation for operational excellence. It is the most acknowledged name in the industry with its commitment in authentic hospitality. Such recognition requires not only brand heritage but a team of talented individuals. Similarly winning the Award for Commercial Excellence is the achievement of the Jeddah Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria Jeddah – Qasr Al Sharq team collectively. Business development is not a one-man job, but the collective efforts of the entire team. Therefore hiring the right person for the right position is imperative for any organization as it is the only way to ensure that every team member plays a value added role that contributes to the success and the overall company vision. Companies that are serious about fixing the workforce diversity need strategies that address the issue and expand the talent pipeline. Organizations need to redefine what quality talents mean especially in the context of today's business environment if they intend to tackle the source of their problems, said Inayat. Hiring quality talents should not be looked at as a cost but rather a mid-term investment which will have positive impact on your top line, strengthening your sales and revenue. It is very evident that today the market behavior is rapidly changing, consumer trends are shifting before you can realize and analyze them. An expert on the tourism and hospitality sector, Inayat said that the outlook for travel & tourism remains robust, despite economic volatility in the wider market. "The sector's contribution to GDP growth is expected to accelerate and outpace the growth of the wider economy, and this applies to Saudi Arabia as well. "Saudi Arabia is transforming from an oil based economy to a more diverse one using human capital, which includes tourism, finance, manufacturing, and advanced technology. The nation has spent the last decades successfully paving the road for such a diverse economy, full credit goes to a stable political system and a strong social safety net. "For any organization's perspective, the most valuable resources are its human assets and in this scenario, Saudi citizens are our main asset. Since Saudi Arabia has already reignited the growth engine, under the vision of Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, with the Saudi Vision 2030, productive employment of the population with an improved standard of living is a viable expectation. "In line with this vision, the tourism industry, together with the relentless efforts and initiatives of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, they are leaving no stone unturned. The tourism industry is expected to record one of the highest growth rates over the next 20 years," Inyat said. He added "the Kingdom has already embarked on significant projects (the metro project in Riyadh, the new airport in Jeddah, the new entertainment city in Riyadh, etc.) and they will change the landscape of the country positively. For instance, the new entertainment city in Riyadh, as part of the Vision 2030 plans, spans over 334 square km. This project, almost as big as Las Vegas, will host a safari park and the Six Flags theme parks. . Last year, Six Flags has announced their plan to build 3 parks in Saudi Arabia amounting to about $1 billion of investment. "With such an increased number of facilities and attractions, domestic tourism is expected to grow exponentially, and upon completion of these new projects, Saudis will be more likely to spend holidays within their own borders. "The President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin AbdulAziz, during his last speech at the executive council of the UN World Tourism Organization stated that the tourism revenue in KSA have jumped from SR57.3 billion in 2004 to SR166.8 billion by the end of 2016. The number of licensed tourist facilities has increased from 1,402 in 2009 to 6,454 by 2016, and most notably the number of jobs has reached 936,000 in 2016, from 333,000 in 2004. By 2020 the number of job opportunities is expected to reach 1.2 million. Under the vision 2030, the General Authority for Entertainment is also playing an integral part, while the private sector will have to play a more significant role by increasing its efforts and investments. They should be riding on the crest of the wave of regained dynamism in the tourism and hospitality sector by seizing the opportunity to blaze new trails and sustain long-term development. "All the new initiatives by the Saudi government will boost the Saudi tourism economy, which will continue to grow and create jobs, bringing a wide range of economic and social benefits. Tourism will play a pivotal role in the Saudi Arabian economy, generating more revenue, with an increased percentage to the GDP, and generating more employment and contributing to a better standard of living."
