The Institute of Consulting Research and Studies at Umm Al-Qura University launched the Executive Diploma for Preparing Leaders in Tourism and Hospitality. The diploma aims to contribute to the realization of the Saudi Vision 2030 through the development and enhancement of the tourism and hospitality sector, creating career opportunities for young people in this sector in addition to preparing qualified cadres who possess the needed skills and knowledge to assume leading positions in hotels and restaurants.

The diploma includes 23 educational and training courses, with a total of 90 hours over 3 consecutive months, and will be taught by a group of specialized and competent trainers and advisors. The courses will be held during the period from Sunday, 22 Rabi` Al-Awwal, 1442 A.H., corresponding to 08 November, 2020 A.C., to Saturday,10 Jumada Al-Thani, 1442 A.H., corresponding to 23 January, 2021 A.C.

Upon completing the diploma, the trainee is awarded a certificate approved by the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies at Umm Al-Qura University, in addition to eight different international certificates, including: the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy (CETT), Intertek Total Quality Assurance, and Cristal International Standards.

The themes of the diploma cover various fields, including: general administrative skills, leadership and employee management skills, financial and accounting skills, and strategic marketing skills.

Dr. Ali Al-Qasim, General Supervisor of the 'Rifada' Center for Tourism and Hospitality and academic staff member in the College of Business Administration at Umm Al-Qura University, added that the tourism and hospitality sector is one of the new sectors in Saudi Arabia, noting that the Saudi youth started to join this field in the last twenty years, in limited numbers. He also underlined that most workers in this important sector are equipped with adequate experience in enterprise operating systems, but a large number of them lack the needed skills that a successful manager and leader must possess. The Executive Diploma for Preparing Leaders in Tourism and Hospitality aims to help them acquire and hone such skills, in cooperation with global partners.

On his part, Dr. Ali bin Muhammad Al-Sha`iri, the Dean of the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies, stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is counting on increasing the contribution of the tourism and hospitality sector to the Gross National Product (GNP), and aspires to be among the world's most welcoming countries, especially with regard to receiving the pilgrims and those performing Umrah. Therefore, it is working towards increasing investments in this sector in knowledge and human capital, as well as economic investments, and improving the quality of the services this sector provides.

**For registration and more information about the executive diploma, please click here.