Makkah, 23 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH (9 June 2026)

The Career and Innovation Forum 2026, hosted by Umm Al-Qura University under the theme "Excellence and Leadership in the Tourism Sector", is discussing the future of education, training and innovation in tourism, along with the professional empowerment of graduates and global best practices in tourism services, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals of developing the tourism sector and raising its contribution to the national economy.

The forum is a platform that brings academic institutions, government bodies and the private sector together to support entrepreneurs and innovators and develop national talent capable of keeping pace with the rapid growth of the Kingdom's tourism sector.

Quality Events and Promising Career Opportunities

The forum is accompanied by a set of specialized events designed to prepare students and graduates for the labor market, including a career fair, a tourism and hospitality exhibition, a graduation projects exhibition featuring more than 690 projects, and an exhibition of projects from the Tourism Innovation Hackathon.

The forum also offers career counseling services that guide students and graduates toward suitable job opportunities and strengthen their ability to build successful careers across tourism and hospitality.

A Scientific Program with Leading Experts

The forum includes an integrated scientific and professional program of four enrichment sessions with leading specialists, experts and decision-makers, along with 21 specialized workshops aimed at developing the professional and practical skills of students, graduates and those interested in the tourism sector.

More than 60 employers are taking part, creating wide opportunities for direct contact between job seekers and organizations in the tourism sector and strengthening employment prospects and professional partnerships.

Education and Innovation as Pillars of Saudi Tourism

The forum's first enrichment session discussed the role of education, training and innovation in building a promising professional future that supports the growth of Saudi tourism and keeps pace with Saudi Vision 2030.

The session highlighted the importance of investing in human capital and developing academic and training programs that prepare qualified national talent to lead the tourism sector in the years ahead.

Developing Talent and Strengthening Partnerships

The second enrichment session outlined the future of tourism in the Kingdom, focusing on developing national talent, stimulating innovation and strengthening partnerships among academic, government and private sector bodies.

Participants stressed the importance of integrated roles among the relevant bodies to develop the tourism sector, prepare it to seize future investment and career opportunities, and achieve sustainable development goals.

Supporting Saudi Vision 2030

The Career and Innovation Forum 2026 is part of Umm Al-Qura University's efforts to raise the quality of tourism education and training and support the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, helping to prepare a generation of national talent capable of supporting the tourism sector and achieving Saudi Vision 2030.

The forum reflects the Kingdom's growing attention to tourism as one of the promising vital sectors that diversify the national economy and create new jobs for young Saudis.

At a Glance

  • Location: Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah
  • Date: 9 June 2026
  • Theme: Excellence and Leadership in the Tourism Sector
  • Employers: more than 60
  • Workshops: 21
  • Graduation projects: more than 690