UNWTO: Tourism 'ideally positioned as a general job provider' for the Middle East and North Africa

UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East held (10-May-2018) its 44th meeting, focused on innovation and digital transformation. UNWTO reported around six million jobs in the Middle East are related to tourism and the sector is expected to grow strongly in the coming years. Tourism is "ideally positioned as a general job provider, but especially as an entry point into the labour market for youth, and a source of economic empowerment of women through employment." according to the organisation. UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted opportunities for the creation of jobs and enterprises through tourism in the Middle East and North Africa. Mr Pololikashvili said: "Tourism human capital development needs to prepare the workforce through education and training and by embracing technology and digital solutions as educational and training tools" and efficient partnerships between the public and private sectors are a cornerstone of such an agenda, especially considering that tourism human capital development is crucial for the competitiveness and sustainability of the tourism industry. [more - original PR]