Saudi women take up jobs in Makkah hotels

Saudi Arabia observing massive changes as part of an ambitious drive headed by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

Over 40 Saudi women have taken up cordiality jobs in Makkah hotels  in human resources departments, reservations, reception, and cooking departments.

“We are determined to be more professional and learn everything new in the hotel world,” Sarrah Najjar, a receptionist, said.

“It is a pleasure and a passion to learn about many international cultures by dealing with visitors and pilgrims from different nationalities and countries,” she said, quoted by news site Al Marsad on Tuesday, according to Gulf New.

Abeer Al Harbi, who is dealing with food responsibilities, said she is happy with what she’s doing.

“The environment is appropriate and is characterised by a lot of privacy, which gives me a greater motivation to hone my skills and boost my productivity,” she said.

A medical insurance coordinator, Afaf Abdullah, said that the foundation, privacy, professional development and training she is getting along with the new female staff are receiving is “helping them to do their job well”.



Reem Bakatian, a receptionist, said that she is satisfied with her new career and confident about the future.

“My career path and promotions are clear so we are working very hard and exerting efforts to develop our abilities and increase our knowledge about everything new,” she said. “Opportunities become available to us as women when we are armed with knowledge and determination.”

Ara Bukhari’s clients after hearing ‘Saudi woman’ answering their calls congratulated her offering good wishes overwhelmed her.

The developments are being admired locally, regionally and internationally as huge positive steps forward regardless of expected resistance from conservative segments.

Saudi Arabia is observing massive social changes as part of an ambitious drive headed by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud towards a more prosperous future that includes empowering women politically, economically and socially while fixing attitudes by shunning regressive practices.

Article was originally appeared in Gulf News.