TTN

Saudi youth eyeing hospitality jobs

Share  
Hilton Jeddah … Hilton will hire than 10,000 people by 2030, of which more than half will be Saudi, said a spokesperson

A new survey commissioned by Hilton revealed that more than half of young Saudis (58 per cent) considered taking a job in hospitality in the past 12 months – positively reflecting on the ever-developing sector across the Kingdom, with hotel management (33per cent), event management 32 per cent, and marketing and communications 28 per cent among the topmost desired hospitality roles.

According to the research, two-thirds (66 per cent) of Saudis believe it is crucial that the company they work for (regardless of sector) has a clear purpose. Meanwhile, 41 per cent of respondents felt a strong sense of ‘family’ among colleagues is an attractive quality in an employer. The opportunity to travel for work was also revealed as a desirable job aspect for Millennials and Gen Zs, with 38 per cent of respondents saying it would be an important factor in an ideal role.

The survey also revealed a fascinating range of similarities between Millennials (aged 26-41) and Gen Zs (aged 18-25) regarding what they want from a company and an employer. Both groups said they would benefit from pursuing a career with multiple roles within one organisation (Millennials 55 per cent, Gen Z 57 per cent). Job aspects such as performance recognition (Millennials 55 per cent, Gen Z 51 per cent), extensive career development opportunities (Millennials 55 per cent, Gen Z 48 per cent) and strong mental health and wellbeing policies (Millennials 55 per cent, Gen Z 55 per cent) were also important for both age groups.

Kamel Ajami, Vice-President of Operations for KSA, Egypt & Levant, said: “Our research shows that the pandemic has shifted how we think about work, and I am proud that Hilton has continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of its teams. We lead with our culture and are fiercely committed to creating a truly diverse and meaningful work environment where individuals are empowered with the resources and culture to unleash their full potential.”

“We know that when we invest in our team members, our guests, owners and communities also benefit. It’s why we’re so committed to providing industry-leading benefits, from life-changing travel opportunities to ensuring a sense belonging for every team member – this is how we make Hilton a great place to work. Over the next couple of years, we will be close to hiring 2,000 people, with about half being Saudi nationals. By 2030, we expect to hire than 10,000 people, of which more than half will be Saudi.”

Meanwhile, opportunities to acquire new skills including business management (43 per cent), a new language (41 per cent), time management (38per cent) and project management (35 per cent) were sought-after in the perfect job.  When asked to identify their dream role, nearly one-third (31 per cent) of Saudi Millennials and Gen Zs referenced business management, followed by project management (26 per cent) – both of which can be achieved as part of a career in the hospitality industry.  

Spacer