Saudi women all set to drive marine tourism

Saudi women all set to drive marine tourism

MAKKAH: 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. 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