Latest news with #Vision2023
Tourism Breaking News
28-04-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Jamaica reinforces GCC commitment at the Arabian Travel Market 2025 with top tier partners and tailored offerings
Post Views: 123 The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will be participating in the upcoming Arabian Travel Market 2025 from April 28 to May 01 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Its continued presence in the region's premier travel and trade event demonstrates the recognition of GCCs role in Jamaica's international tourism growth strategy. In a collaborative push to promote the island, Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett will be joined by Director of Tourism Donovan White, together with Jamaica's top suppliers in the hospitality and leisure sectors at the JTB stand, ready to network with travel and media professionals from across the GCC. Diversifying tourism markets and promoting sustainable growth is a key component of Jamaica's Vision 2023 development plan. Reaching out to new regions aims to enhance its global tourism footprint and economic resilience. Recognizing the GCC as having one of the most well-travelled globetrotters, fueled by its spending power and interest in unique destinations, keeps JTBs committed to its goal of positioning the country as a major consideration for travel amongst the nationals and residents of the GCC countries. 'Our ongoing participation in ATM reflects our dedication to fostering relationships within the GCC market,' stated Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism. 'We are confident that Jamaica's unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant culture will captivate travelers from this region.' In driving the achievement of this strategy, JTB has appointed Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East (BTM) as its official trade representative office for the GCC region in 2024. This regional partnership leverages the strength of BTM in the travel and trade industry educating them about Jamaica's diverse offerings – from pristine beaches to cultural experiences – and how it fully aligns with the preferences of GCC travelers who are seeking both luxury and adventure. 'We are dedicated to showcasing Jamaica's diverse attractions to the Middle Eastern market,' said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. 'Our partnerships in the region are instrumental in facilitating growth and ensuring that travelers from the GCC have memorable experiences in Jamaica.' Travelers from the GCC can access Jamaica through various connections via major international hubs such as London, Miami, New York, and Toronto with numerous connectivity options from major carriers in GCC. JTB invites all attendees of the Arabian Travel Market 2025 to visit its pavilion to connect, explore potential collaborations, and discover one of the gems of the Caribbean.
Saudi Gazette
20-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Towards Green HR Policies in Saudi companies
By Dr. Nawaf Alhusseini In different capaci-es, Saudi companies have embraced green ini-a-ves to support environmental protec-on. Examples abound of manufacturing companies using emission control technologies, banks providing favorable terms for green loans, and businesses using energy more efficiently, reducing printed material, and managing waste more effec-vely. And there is a surge in sustainability repor-ng among the larger companies in response to the Capital Market Authority 2021 guidelines to promote ESG repor-ng (Environmental, Social and Governance), and ESG commiJees are being formed. With all such efforts it can be said that the Saudi corporate landscape has responded well to Vision 2023's call for going green. Acknowledging these developments, one may ask if more can be done. Perhaps yes, by engaging the corporate workforce more broadly, and reflec-ng the green momentum in HR policies. There is no evidence that Saudi companies have updated their HR policies to reflect their green drive and ESG programs, and as such they may be losing more opportuni-es to advance the green agenda. Are all employees aware of how they can contribute to environmental protec-on through their jobs? And once aware do they have incen-ves to do so? Obviously, there is a segment of employees who are directly involved in environment-related objec-ves, such as industrial engineers, as well as those involved in ESG ini-a-ves. But those comprise a small segment of the workforce. By upda-ng HR policies with the green drive, more engagement of the workforce can be aJained, and small ideas here and there may grow larger and spread from one company to another. Upda-ng HR policies are more significant than introducing stand-alone programs, as they signal to managers and employees that the green drive is formally ins-tu-onalized. In other words, policy update will ensure sustainability of the green drive. But what does upda-ng HR policies with the green drive mean exactly. Here are a few examples, no-ng that documenta-on of such update requires only adding a few statements to exis-ng policy, and does not need a whole rewri-ng of the HR policy document: Training policy: Add environmental awareness to annual training plans. Some companies are already offering this training, but it is not clear if this is a maJer of HR policy or a stand-alone, one-off ESG program. Such training should include dialogues and workshops on how employees can contribute through their jobs, and more generally as members of the organiza-onal community. Performance management policy: Add green objec-ves for each employee. This can be mandatory or op-onal, depending on the job, but in all cases, it should be counted in the performance reviews and ra-ngs. For example, if green objec-ves are op-onal for certain jobs, individual green achievements can be counted as an extra effort that can contribute to the overall performance ra-ng. Recogni-on program policy: Include green achievements, both at the individual and team levels. A policy update will ensure that future recogni-on programs are inclusive of green achievements. Job descrip-on policy: Add 'green mindset' as part of the requirements for all jobs. This is important as the job descrip-on is the basis of most HR programs. Recruitment policy: Include environmental protec-on in the new hires orienta-on programs. This should signal to the employee early on that a green mindset will be beneficial to their career within the company. Employee engagement survey policy: Add percep-ons on the green drive and obstacles faced. This would allow tracking progress over -me. Volunteering policy: Include par-cipa-on in state-sponsored and other na-onal and local green ini-a-ves. The 'greening' of HR policies will be more effec-ve if it is done with a posi-ve spirit, highligh-ng the benefits for the quality of life now and for future genera-ons. The language used in the policy document and in communica-on maJers, in my opinion. It is beJer to avoid posi-oning the green HR as a compliance requirement, with terms such as 'mandatory' and 'must' to be avoided. Viewed as another compliance requirement imposed from the top amid heavy workloads might lead to crea-ve means to go around it, rather than advance it. The objec-ve is not to have employees and managers aim towards minimum effort to check the box, but rather to have a great sense of purpose in embracing the green agenda. Engaging the workforce more broadly in the green drive through HR policy updates will beJer ins-tu-onalize it in all facets of the organiza-on. As of now, ESG seems to be an isolated mandate under the preview of the top managerial tear and applicable to only certain segments of the business. Furthermore, ESG is not only about the environment, and corporate efforts may focus more on the 'S' and 'G' rather than on the 'E'. What would also help in this regard is research to assess the extent to which corporate-wide green programs are implemented and HR policies updated. There is limited academic research on green human resource management among Saudi companies, and none has addressed the impact on HR policies (for example, Nadia Abdulghaffar 2017, Mohammed Alharbi 2020, Sasha Faisal & Mohammad Naushad 2020, Nuha Alhashash 2022).
Saudi Gazette
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Shoura Asst. Speaker at UN: Saudi reforms instrumental in women's empowerment and enhanced participation in decision-making
Saudi Gazette report NEW YORK— Assistant Speaker of the Shoura Council Dr. Hanan bint Abdulrahim Al-Ahmadi said that the massive socio-economic reforms brought about by the Vision 2030 have led to the empowerment of Saudi women and their increased participation in the decision-making process. Addressing the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women at the UN headquarters in New York, she praised the reforms being undertaken by Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Dr. Al-Ahmadi led the Shoura Council delegation, participating in the session of the Commission on the Status of Women, chaired by Saudi Arabia, which began on March 10 and will run through until March 21. In her speech at the Kingdom's high-level side event, titled "From Vision to reality: The story of women's empowerment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," held as part of the session, Dr. Al-Ahmadi emphasized that Saudi Arabia's presidency of the Commission on the Status of Women is a reflection of the great success achieved by the Kingdom's efforts to empower women and the remarkable achievements it has accomplished in record time. 'The empowerment of Saudi women brought about by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 through the launch of numerous legislative reforms that have contributed to strengthening women's rights and increasing their contributions to society. Women's membership in the Shoura Council is an important step in the process of women's empowerment and reflects the Kingdom's commitment to the inclusion and empowerment of Saudi women,' she said. Dr. Al-Ahmadi highlighted the historic decision taken by the Saudi leadership in granting women full membership rights in the Shoura Council. 'Since then, women have become involved in societal decision-making, not only on women's issues but also on all issues of concern to society, such as the economy, education, the environment and health,' she said. Dr. Al-Ahmadi pointed to the active role played by the Shoura Council in supporting this process through its oversight and legislative roles, as legislation represents the solid foundation upon which women's empowerment efforts are based to achieve fruitful and sustainable results. 'The Kingdom's Vision 2023 has generated significant legislative activity to enhance women's contributions across various fields, and this momentum has been reflected in the Shoura Council, given its responsibility within the legislative system,' she said while noting that the past ten years have witnessed the issuance of numerous important pieces of legislation to support the state's efforts to activate the role of women, protect their rights, and empower them. Dr. Al-Ahmadi emphasized that the Shoura Council, in addition to its legislative role, exercises parliamentary oversight over the performance of government agencies by discussing their annual reports and issuing decisions regarding them. 'Women have been the focus of many of the council's decisions that call for expanding employment opportunities for women in various sectors, protecting their rights, and demanding their inclusion in leadership and decision-making positions across all sectors,' she added. During the UN session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Shoura Council member Princess Dr. Al-Jawhara bint Fahd Al-Saud participated in an event titled "The Economic empowerment of women and their contribution to economic and social development." In her speech, Princess Al-Jawhara shed light on the Kingdom's efforts to empower Saudi women and enhance their role in economic and social development by expanding employment opportunities for women and increasing their participation in the labor market, by empowering them to assume leadership positions in the public and private sectors, in addition to her active membership in the Shoura Council. Shoura Council member Dr. Amal Al-Hazani also participated in a session dedicated to discussing the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment through science and technology. Dr. Al-Hazani highlighted the qualitative leap in empowering Saudi women in the technology sector and their contributions to it, in addition to the international initiatives adopted by the Kingdom related to the sector, which aim to hone the skills of more than 25,000 women from around the world.
