Red Sea Global (RSG) celebrated the graduation of the fourth cohort of its Vocational Training Program on June 26, 2026, with Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah, in attendance. The ceremony, held in Jeddah, also featured Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, RSG CEO John Pagano, and senior executives from partner organizations.
Graduates Trained in Key Tourism Sectors
A total of 386 graduates completed the program, specializing in airport services, luxury hospitality, and health and wellness tourism operations. This marks the first time RSG offered a track in health and wellness tourism, aligning with the development of AMAALA, a luxury regenerative tourism resort. The ceremony included emotional moments when video messages from graduates' families were displayed on screen.
RSG CEO Emphasizes People Over Infrastructure
Addressing the graduates, John Pagano stated that the Kingdom's tourism ambitions ultimately depend on people rather than infrastructure. “Those who came through our education and training programs are already helping bring our destinations to life, and very soon, many of you will join them,” he said. Pagano added, “You are joining us at a very special moment in Red Sea Global’s journey. The Red Sea is welcoming tens of thousands of guests from around the world. More resorts are preparing to open, and new opportunities are emerging across our facilities, our subsidiaries, and our partners.”
Over 2,400 Young Saudis Benefited Since Program Launch
Ahmed Ghazi Darwish, RSG chief administrative officer and spokesman, described the graduates as “a new generation of Saudi talent equipped to help shape the future of the Kingdom’s tourism sector.” He noted that more than 2,400 young Saudis have benefited from RSG’s programs since their launch, with over 1,500 graduates completing initiatives in support of Vision 2030. Pagano told Arab News he was proud to see another cohort of Saudis entering the sector, stating, “Vision 2030 is the main driver because it gives us a compass. It gives us clarity. And with the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, our chairman, we have no option but to succeed.”
Health and Wellness Track a First for Saudi Arabia
Fadi Al-Asiri, general manager of education and capacity building at RSG, explained that the company continuously assesses workforce needs and designs new training programs in partnership with organizations inside and outside the Kingdom. “Today, our educational initiatives include a range of specialized programs, such as tourism security, the Kingdom’s first health and wellness tourism operations track, airport services, luxury hospitality, and culinary arts,” he said.
Human Resources Development Fund Praises Program
Turki Al-Jawini, director general of the Human Resources Development Fund, described the vocational training program as a “successful national model for linking training with employment.” He emphasized that investing in Saudi talent and equipping young people with specialized skills supports high-growth sectors, particularly tourism.
Graduate Shares Transformative Experience
Wisam Zaied, a 23-year-old graduate, told Arab News that the program transformed his understanding of hospitality. “Before joining the program, it was very limited — I thought it was simply about welcoming guests and serving them coffee. But during my internship, I realized hospitality is much more than that. It’s about making guests feel genuinely welcome and creating a memorable experience for them.”
