Saudi Aramco to set up tourism training center

State-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a center to train workers in the tourism industry, as part of the Kingdom’s wider economic diversification drive.

The National Training Center for Facilities and Hospitality Management (NTCFHM) will invest in the facilities and hospitality management sectors to create jobs for Saudis, Aramco said on its official Twitter account on Wednesday.

The center aims to train 5000 male and female trainees over the next four years.

The value of Aramco’s investment was not disclosed.

Saudi Arabia is looking to increase investment in its tourism industry, as part of reforms under the Vision 2030 plan unveiled last year to diversify the oil-rich country’s economy.

According to the official Vision 2030 document, the Kingdom plans to create more tourist attractions, improve visa issuance procedures for visitors, and develop historical and heritage sites.