Austria and Saudi Arabia Collaborate on Tourism Through Joint Education Initiative
Austrian State Secretary General for Energy, Startups, and Tourism, Elisabeth Zehetner, highlights the benefits of a new tourism hub launched at King Saud University.
Riyadh: A new tourism hub was inaugurated at King Saud University on Monday in collaboration with Austria's IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences.
The Austrian State Secretary General for Energy, Startups, and Tourism, Elisabeth Zehetner, attended the launch alongside Saudi students beginning their education program under this joint initiative.IMC Krems, known for its expertise in tourism and hospitality, has already welcomed the first cohort of Saudi students.
This collaboration aims to deepen knowledge about the tourism industry through educational exchanges between the two universities.Zehetner emphasized that both Austria and Saudi Arabia stand to benefit from their cooperation in multiple areas, including tourism.
She noted a mutual interest in fostering educational collaborations due to shared challenges, such as enhancing the quality of tourist experiences and addressing the need for education within the sector.
The collaboration was formalized last May.The UN Tourism General Assembly saw Zehetner highlight Austria's focus on learning from Saudi Arabia's rapid development in tourism infrastructure.
She praised the emphasis on sustainability in these projects, which serves as a model for long-term tourism growth and innovation.Austria’s approach to sustainable tourism includes assessing locals' quality of life through annual surveys and promoting economic benefits that lead to local prosperity.
This focus ensures a balanced tourism sector that minimizes conflict, like those seen in other countries where tourism has grown too quickly.In discussing global trends, Zehetner pointed out the increasing role of digitization and artificial intelligence within the tourism industry.
Many travelers now use AI tools such as ChatGPT to plan trips and interact with potential destinations.Austria is experimenting with using AI technology in hotels for automated services like concierge assistance and managing food allergies.
This innovation aims to improve guest experiences while alleviating labor shortages in the sector by automating tasks.Zehetner stressed the importance of preparing tourism industry professionals to meet these new challenges, including transforming education to incorporate digital skills and improving service quality.
She also underscored the value of human connection in providing authentic cultural experiences for tourists, ensuring a lasting impression through heartfelt interactions representative of Austria's culture.
The Austrian State Secretary General for Energy, Startups, and Tourism, Elisabeth Zehetner, attended the launch alongside Saudi students beginning their education program under this joint initiative.IMC Krems, known for its expertise in tourism and hospitality, has already welcomed the first cohort of Saudi students.
This collaboration aims to deepen knowledge about the tourism industry through educational exchanges between the two universities.Zehetner emphasized that both Austria and Saudi Arabia stand to benefit from their cooperation in multiple areas, including tourism.
She noted a mutual interest in fostering educational collaborations due to shared challenges, such as enhancing the quality of tourist experiences and addressing the need for education within the sector.
The collaboration was formalized last May.The UN Tourism General Assembly saw Zehetner highlight Austria's focus on learning from Saudi Arabia's rapid development in tourism infrastructure.
She praised the emphasis on sustainability in these projects, which serves as a model for long-term tourism growth and innovation.Austria’s approach to sustainable tourism includes assessing locals' quality of life through annual surveys and promoting economic benefits that lead to local prosperity.
This focus ensures a balanced tourism sector that minimizes conflict, like those seen in other countries where tourism has grown too quickly.In discussing global trends, Zehetner pointed out the increasing role of digitization and artificial intelligence within the tourism industry.
Many travelers now use AI tools such as ChatGPT to plan trips and interact with potential destinations.Austria is experimenting with using AI technology in hotels for automated services like concierge assistance and managing food allergies.
This innovation aims to improve guest experiences while alleviating labor shortages in the sector by automating tasks.Zehetner stressed the importance of preparing tourism industry professionals to meet these new challenges, including transforming education to incorporate digital skills and improving service quality.
She also underscored the value of human connection in providing authentic cultural experiences for tourists, ensuring a lasting impression through heartfelt interactions representative of Austria's culture.
