Separation of tradition from modern lifestyle, creation of a productive tourism environment and an intense promotion of education are key to change in Saudi Arabia, says Dr. Nasser bin Aqeel Al-Tayyar, president of Al-Tayyar Travel Group. Nasser, who has been ranked 13th overall by Arabian Travel News in 2010, is a prominent Saudi personality from the private sector in the tourism industry. “Saudi laws are still inadequate in terms of boosting tourism,” he told Diana Al-Jassem in an interview. Despite the inadequacies in the Saudi tourism laws, Al-Tayyar group plays an important role in the tourism sector, promoting internal and external tourism in light of the global developments, thus enhancing its contribution to the GDP. Through his vision, experience and education, Dr. Nasser has been able to lead Al-Tayyar Travel Group to achievements and successes over the past three decades, and has become one of the largest companies operating in the travel and tourism sector across the region, creating integrated tourism services globally. Rapid change What changes would make a major impact on the lives of Saudis in the coming 20 years? The Kingdom still needs to grow more in terms of tourism and manpower. I expect a major renaissance in terms of the economy, especially investments and infrastructure. We still have many projects in education pending like King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh and the university campus. We should invest more in education, as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is giving topmost importance to education. We should benefit from the 300,000 students who study abroad. Furthermore, we need to boost our infrastructure. The government has to work hard on this, especially when we only have four major international airports and seven small airports. I expect the number of international airports to be increased to seven and the small airports to 14. Public transportation also will improve, as we will have several fast trains linking Saudi cities. In the coming years, the Kingdom will be a major player in the world. Role of leadership What do you think of the leadership roles regarding organizations in the Kingdom? What are the factors/reasons for their current state? Leadership is the main element behind the success of any organization. The Kingdom is in the forefront in terms of leadership. For example, we have private companies like SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.) and Saudi Aramco where Saudi mangers are playing a leadership role in theses companies. Challenging tasks What are the most difficult decisions that need to be applied in the Kingdom in the next 20 years? We need to start separating traditions from modern life. Traditions put limitations and delay our progress. For example, I don’t mind if women get the opportunity to drive. Islamic countries that share the same lifestyle as ours are allowing women to drive. Women in Kuwait are allowed to drive. Also, we should benefit from the experiences of advanced countries. There are arguments whether women should be allowed to work in a mixed environment. Such arguments have no place in the present age. There are many job opportunities, which need the enrollment of women. Such steps can solve big problems in our society. We should not restrict women to work in female-only environments. In some workplaces women have to work with men. Sustainable development What goals would you set regarding the Kingdom’s development and how would these goals be achieved in your current position? Till today I haven’t succeeded in realizing my dreams in tourism. I have faced many obstacles. Laws of Saudi Arabia are still helpless in terms of tourism. For example, I wish to establish an association for travel and tourism agencies. The absence of such an organization is restricting the development of tourism. We have an unproductive tourism sector. Such an industry needs an umbrella to take care and prosper. Regarding the Kingdom’s officials what characteristics do you think are important for such individuals? How would such characteristics contribute toward the Kingdom’s further development? Special characteristics are required for leaders who need to have skills, experience, and capability. Unfortunately, in some companies some of these characteristics are absent. For example, some business managements don’t care about the experience element. Creative project Can you give me an example of the most creative project that you wish to establish in the Kingdom? My dream was to establish a private airline company, but Saudi laws prevented me from doing that. Actually, there is no connection between decision makers and tourism officials, and this has led us to have a negative tourism environment. KSA in three words What three words would you use to describe the Kingdom in the coming 20 years and why? I could describe the Kingdom as the tiger of the Middle East. The Kingdom is a fast growing country and it is expected to be a leader in investments, economy and industry. Human rights How can we all improve human rights in Saudi Arabia? What are your expectations regarding human rights practices? Islam and the prophet (pbuh) taught us about human rights but some Saudis mix-up Islamic rules and traditions. What we need in the Kingdom is to separate traditions and Islam. Islam has confirmed the rights of women. Driving is a clear example about the right that Saudi women have to get. Actually, we have about 2.5 million drivers who are considered dangerous to the Saudi families. Such dangers could be avoided if the Saudi woman gets her right to drive. Islam doesn’t ban driving by women. Biggest challenge What is the challenge facing the Kingdom today? Building the Kingdom’s infrastructure and managing it is the biggest challenge that we face today. We have many projects that are pending and consequently delaying the country’s development and progress. We don’t adhere to the time restrictions and that’s why we are too late. For example, Jeddah floods happened because of giving the infrastructure projects to unprofessional companies. We also have to fight bureaucracy and hard financing processes. Banks now don’t prefer financing big projects. Prominent activities What are the most prominent economic activities in the Kingdom and what are the neglected sectors that need attention? The most prominent active sector is construction and infrastructure development. I think bureaucratic delays fast achievements in the construction field. Unfortunately, the government gives projects to Saudi companies that are not committed. Banks also delay funding projects. Our banks have many other opportunities. This is why they don’t prefer funding more projects. Housing growth There is a huge demand for housing in the Kingdom because of rising young population. The government also has put an emphasis on this sector by allocating SR 250 billion in this year’s budget for housing. Do you believe housing needs much more attention from the government and private sectors? I think the new mortgage law will help in solving the housing problem. The new law will organize the process and definitely protect the rights of both sides. In addition to the mortgage, we need licenses for funding companies to find solution to the problem. Also we need to recognize funding individuals or agencies, and owners and real estate developers. I don’t prefer the funding agency to be the owner and real estate developer at the same time. Role of SMEs There is a need to boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom as they create jobs of all categories. What role do you see for SMEs in the economy? SMEs are the main economic power and key to develop the country’s economy. We have to encourage the establishment of SMEs. Arab citizens in Middle East can lead in terms of SMEs. We need to create our own brands to compete with our counterparts in the West. We notice that there are many Arab brands in Kuwait and Egypt. These brands were started by SMEs. Knowledge hunt Education has always remained a priority for the Saudi government. What changes do you envisage in our education system to fit Saudi youth in a knowledge-based economy? Education is the most important element of economic development but we are too late. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is developing this sector and I think we have a great number of universities. We need to change our education system in order to change the youth. The youth will shape the future and take a giant leap in the coming 20 years. All schools, colleges and universities should be under the umbrella of international accreditation. On the other hand, vocational institutes must be regulated and evaluated to fulfill the Kingdom’s economic visions. Finally, there must be a better collaboration between the industrial and education sectors through research and development programs, internships and knowledge sharing. We are waiting to see the outcome of King Abdullah’s program for international scholarships and its impact on the quality of education and returning students’ success in the job market. These results can then be compared with the outcome of students who graduate locally and used for improving the quality of our national technical schools and universities. Fair opportunities How do you see Saudi women’s contribution in the labor, social and political areas in the coming 20 years? I am proud of Saudi women. They make exceptional contributions to improve our life. We should work to enlarge their contribution without compromising our religious values. Women should care about their own lives and families first because they shape our upcoming generations. We need to secure women’s economic, financial and social rights. Women’s contributions to the labor market will be greater if they are directed toward the sectors they are most needed, notably teaching and media. Saudi media What measures and standards are yet to be (and must be) applied to Saudi media and what are your expectations in the next 20 years? I think traditional media is more accurate than new media, which is not yet professional. New media in Saudi Arabia is lacking in credibility. New media will not be able to compete with traditional media due to lack of strict standards. I believe new media has become dangerous and inaccurate. Learning from the past What are the three or four mistakes that have been repeated in the Kingdom during the past two decades? And how could we eliminate these mistakes in order to develop the Kingdom? Frankly speaking, about mistakes in Saudi Arabia, I should admit that we are still unable to learn from our mistakes. Our problems have stayed with us for long. This is because we don’t have any change in the Saudi laws. The new age is totally different where many new tools exist like in the new media, but we still can’t cope with the changes and start thinking about our mistakes. Message to the youth Given that youths make up the majority of the Saudi population, what message would you want to be conveyed to them? And what else would you say to the rest of the population? My message to youth is believe in yourself, set a goal in your life and you can reach the goal. Try to benefit from experienced people and find out in which field you see success. Also, I want each young Saudi to be creative and innovative. TOP GOALS Major changes required: • A renaissance in investments, economy and building • Invest more in education • Boost our infrastructure, especially airports. About leadership in Kingdom’s organizations: • Leadership is the main element behind the success of any organization. Difficult decisions the Kingdom need to take: • Start separating traditions from modernity • Benefit from the experiences of advanced countries. Major goals for the Kingdom’s development: • Create a system to support and promote tourism industry in a big way. The Kingdom in three words: • Rapidly growing country. Biggest challenge facing the Kingdom: • Building the infrastructure The SMEs can further play a positive role in the Kingdom’s development: • Saudis need to create their own brands to compete with their Western counterparts. Education needs: • Vocational institutes must be regulated and evaluated to fulfill the Kingdom’s economic visions. • Benefit from the scholarship programs to cover the Saudi market needs. About women’s contribution in political, social and labor areas: • Saudi women need to enlarge their contribution without compromising on religious values. Views on Saudi media: • Traditional media is more accurate than new media. • New media will not be able to compete with traditional media due to lack of credibility. Message to Saudis: • Try to benefit from experienced people. • Find out the field in which you seek success. From : Arabnews