Ashraf AboArafe
RIYADH – Saudi women play a pivotal role in Saudi society, as they have become a key partner in development in all economic, social, cultural and scientific fields, and at all levels, which greatly contributed to their assumption of a number of administrative and important positions during the past years, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been keen on developing systems that contribute to the empowerment of women and their equality with men in terms of rights and duties.
According to the World Bank report, titled “Women, Business and the Law 2020,” the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was ranked as the best country in the world for success in implementing reforms related to women in business and law.
Saudi women occupy many senior government positions in various ministries and agencies, and have been able to achieve exceptional success in several fields such as economy, tourism, trade, and the civil and non-profit sectors, until the number of establishments owned by Saudi women has reached more than 174,000 establishments.
In the context of entrepreneurship, Saudi women are still achieving a lot of distinction and success, which is confirmed by the Forbes Middle East list that was issued last year, and included 4 Saudi women in important ranks among the most powerful businesswomen in the region, who have achieved success and achievements through their work in various professional fields, and they are Sarah Al-Suhaimi ranked fourth, Hotham Al-Olayan ranked sixth, Lubna Al-Olayan ranked 11, and ranked 15. Basma Abdulaziz Al-Maiman, who holds the position of Regional Director for the Middle East at the United Nations World Tourism Organization United.
In the field of tourism and hospitality, the number of Saudi women has mainly increased in hotels, as they have assumed various positions. Many Saudi women have also emerged in the field of tourism guidance, and have achieved remarkable distinction in it, among them Areej Al-Anzi in the Hail region, Mahbooba Al-Juhani in Yanbu, and Badour Al-Saleh in Riyadh, and Haya Asiri in Asir, and Aisha Khaja in Medina, and many others.
A number of Saudi women also entered the field of tourism work through some special projects in separate regions of the Kingdom, and were able to achieve distinction through them, and among them the name of the tourism investor, Abrar Bashower, CEO of the Adventures and Hobbies Agency for organizing trips, emerged, as she was able to establish her feet in The field of tourism work within a few years, and succeeded in developing its work to also include organizing tourist, cultural and heritage trips for pilgrims.
Abrar says: Saudi women are now playing an effective and influential role in the field of tourism, expressing her happiness to work in this field, stressing that it is the most vital field that suits her aspirations to work, succeed, develop ideas and serve the country by hosting tourists and providing them with the most beautiful services and experiences.
Also among the distinguished pioneers in the field of tourism was the Saudi entrepreneur Munira Al-Tayyar, one of the investors in the tourism industry in the Kingdom.
Expeditions highlighting nature, heritage and history. Mounira stresses the importance of the tourism industry in the Kingdom due to the importance of this sector in supporting the national economy, increasing income and opening work fields for young people, and aspires to have a role in placing the Kingdom on the map of destinations. tourism worldwide.
