Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

Saudi women all set to drive marine tourism

Saudi women all set to drive marine tourism

The government has begun to provide Saudi women with funding to secure their own boats and training to operate tourism businesses in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

The Border Training Guard Program in Yanbu with the support of several government departments issued marine driving licenses to 11 Saudi women recently. An organization named “Riyada” is also supporting the program by providing loans to enable women to own boats.

Hamed Al-Juhani, president of the board of directors of the Yanbu Cooperative Society for Fishermen, said that specialists were assigned to train women in navigating a boat. In addition, tourism professionals have helped prepare intensive 10-day practical and five-day theoretical training programs.

“We have hired experienced leaders in boat driving, fishing, and going on trips, who know all the tourism areas in Yanbu by heart,” he said. The course covers navigation, safety and other aspects of a marine-focused business.

Tourism professionals have helped prepare intensive 10-day practical and five-day theoretical training programs.


Al-Juhani said his organization was committed to providing young women the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program.

“There are now more than 100 women wishing to join the course, and our specialized training cadre are 100 percent Saudis.”

Rahma Al-Majnouni, one of the 11 women who obtained a marine driving license from the Yanbu cooperative, said: “The border guards tested our abilities to make sure we deserve our licenses.”

While Al-Majnouni wants to operate trips in her own boat, she is also passionate about teaching others how to navigate marine vessels.

Tourism professionals have helped prepare intensive 10-day practical and five-day theoretical training programs.


“We will be representing Saudi women and girls in the best way possible, since we were the first to obtain our marine driving licenses. I am keen to actively participate in the achievement of (these) aspects of the program’s vision,” she said.

Safaa Fallata, a certified international diving instructor, who has participated in coral reef farming in the Red Sea, praised the Yanbu cooperative and the government for their support.

May Qandil, another trainee who recently joined the program, said: “I had a passion and love for the sea since early childhood … Women are able to achieve their dreams now and we live in an unprecedented era, where we are empowering women in several fields.”

Qandil encouraged women to participate and benefit from the specialized training courses.

Tourism professionals have helped prepare intensive 10-day practical and five-day theoretical training programs.


Another successful participant, Malak Al-Juhani, who holds a diving license, said she has “a strong relationship with the sea.” She wants to become an instructor for women and children in Yanbu, considered the capital of diving in the country.

“When the marine driving license program was first announced, I participated without any hesitation whatsoever to invest in my dreams.

“The course had many requirements including swimming, passing the theoretical and practical tests, as well as receiving intensive training provided by a female military cadre.”

Among the skills learnt was how to pilot boats in varying sea conditions, using life jackets, and adhering to other required international standards, said Al-Juhani.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
×