مدى إسهام القوى العاملة الوطنية في القطاعات السياحة بمدينة جدة و سبل تعزيزها

Abstract EN

The study investigated the extent of the contribution of the Saudi labor force in tourism sectors in Jeddah city, and means to enhance it.

Jeddah is one of the largest tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia.

Its location and natural and human attractions tourism, made its importance in encouraging tourism sectors.

The aim of the study is to determine the size of the Saudi labor force, its distribution among tourism sector's activities, the percentage of women's participation in this labor force and the obstacles that limit their contribution in this sector.

The study used two samples: a sample of the Saudi labor force (563) person, and the other sample of tourism establishments (372), including accommodations, travel and tourism agencies, and recreations.

Some statistical methods were used, such as, frequencies, percentages, weighted mean, standard deviation, range.

Among the study's findings: the percentage of national labor force in the tourism sector in Jeddah is very low, about 23% of the total workforce in tourism sector in 2016.

About 40% of them work in hotels, most of them in various administrative jobs.

77 % of them are males, and about 69% of them believe that tourism sector jobs is suitable for women.

Also 75% of them have less than 5 years of employment, indicating that they are newly engaged in this sector, 84% of them their salaries between 3000 and 9999 riyals, and 76% of the workforce are in permanent contracts.

As for job satisfaction, about 76% of the workforce is satisfied with their current job, due to flexibility in working hours, availability of services, and the impact of positive effect on their family lives.

These results are important for the labor force future in tourism sector in Jeddah.

The study found that among the obstacles that affect the work in the tourism sector: low salaries or not of suitable for some qualifications, lack of promotions, lack of a comfortable work environment, and lack of training.

In addition to the presence of other obstacles affecting the attraction of the workforce of the tourism sector, including lack of training courses and workshops, length of working hours, and prerequisite of previous experiences.

The study recommends raising salaries, providing more financial incentives, enhancing their job security, and more training courses, to encourage Saudis labor force to work in tourism sector.

Finally overcoming obstacles facing women recruitment in tourism sector.

Two of them were just enforced; anti-harassment regulations, and allowing women to drive, which will positively affect Saudi women participation in the work force in tourism sector and other sectors as well.