DUBAI: French hospitality firm Accor is optimistic about the growth potential in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, which is being driven by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives and rich history, said the company’s top official. In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai, Sebastien Bazin, group chairman and CEO of Accor, highlighted the pivotal role of the hospitality industry in reducing unemployment among Saudis. Bolstering the tourism sector and reducing joblessness is crucial for Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom embarks on an economic diversification effort aimed at decreasing its dependence on oil. The National Tourism Strategy of Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product from 6 percent to 10 percent. Bazin said: “I am very bullish about Saudi Arabia. They have a plan, they have a leader, they have a vision, they have the right brands, and they have the financial resources, geography, and history. So, it is the country not to miss.” He added: “They (Saudi Arabia) have something which is gold in their hands — the population. You have 70 percent of the population under 35 years old. Many of them don’t have a job. They are seeking and asking for a job.” The CEO explained that the generosity of Saudi culture would play a significant role in encouraging the country’s youth to enter the travel and hospitality industry. “It is an enormous base to build upon.” Bazin also pointed to the Middle East’s emergence as a global tourist hotspot for both international and domestic travelers. He identified several factors fueling tourism growth in the region, including “great airlines, great infrastructure, safety protocols, food and beverage venues, and impeccable weather.” Bazin added: “I am very positive. You are going to see a 5 percent to 7 percent demand growth globally in the world of travel and tourism. I think that growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Saudi will probably be well above 10 percent. Much faster, much bigger than the rest of the world.” He further stated that the growth of tourism in the GCC and the Middle East will be driven by the emerging middle class and domestic travelers. Regarding the impact of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence on the hospitality sector, Bazin expressed a cautious optimism, asserting that AI should enhance rather than replace human interactions. “We know it (AI) is going to be big. It certainly is going to be very important for data before and after your stay; all that seamless journey will probably be Generative AI-driven. During the stay, where you’re going to be with me in the hotel, AI will be instrumental. But I don’t want AI to surpass human interactions,” said Bazin. He added: “I want you to say ‘hello’ when you pop in, and I want my people to ask you, ‘How are you today?’ That human interaction is one of the reasons why you travel — to discover somebody else’s culture and religion. So, AI is a critical and important enhancer, but should not be a replacer of what we do every day.”