Today, the tourism industry employs 54% of women in the sector and one in five of Tourism Ministers worldwide are women. This reflects the pivotal role played by women in the sector.

Women dominate tourism employment worldwide and the presence of such inspirational leaders in Riyadh will stimulate debate on the need for them to play a greater role in decision making and leadership in the travel and tourism sector.

Princess Haifa Al Saud, Saudi Vice Minister of Tourism, said: “Tourism is one of the few global industries where women are the majority of the workforce. And our young women and men are not just tomorrow’s travelers, they are the chefs, entrepreneurs, inventors and leaders of tomorrow.”

“I have no doubt that this prestigious group of women speakers will help in inspiring our youth here in the Kingdom and around the world as a key to the future of tourism,” she added.

“I believe there is no other industry like tourism that has the same power to offer opportunity to young people and Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in training to ensure those opportunities become reality,” stressed Princess Haifa.

Among the many women leaders present at the Summit are Former British Prime Minister Theresa May, Patricia Espinosa, former executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Desiree Bollier Chairwoman and Chief Merchant, Value Retail, and European Union Parliament member Elena Kountoura, Founder and Chief Executive Office of Healing Hotels, Anne Biging, and Global CEO of JLL Hotels and Hospitality, Gilda Perez Alvarado.

The Summit will witness the presence of heads of government and 50 ministers in various sectors from all over the world.