New Era of Female Entrepreneurship

On International Women's Day, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has announced SAR 200 million in funding for 15 women-led startups that are revolutionizing the Kingdom's tourism sector. This initiative underscores the dramatic transformation in Saudi women's economic participation since Vision 2030.

Featured Startups

• Safar (سفر) — AI-powered personalized trip planning for Saudi Arabia
• Diyafa (ضيافة) — Platform connecting tourists with Saudi families for authentic home dining experiences
• Rahalat (رحلات) — Eco-tourism adventures in Saudi's 15 national parks
• Turath Tech (تراث تك) — AR/VR heritage site experiences
• Daleel (دليل) — Licensed female tour guides marketplace

Women in Saudi Tourism

Women now represent 33% of the Saudi tourism workforce, up from 12% in 2019. Over 5,000 women have received tourism sector training through the Human Resources Development Fund programs. Female hotel general managers have increased from 3 to 45 since 2020.

Vision 2030 Impact

The empowerment of women in tourism is a key pillar of Vision 2030. Saudi women's labor force participation has risen from 17% to 35%, exceeding the 2030 target of 30%. The tourism sector has been a leading beneficiary of this transformation.