HOSPITALITY FIRST
The hospitality sector anticipates a boom in business thanks to reforms oriented around the opening up of Saudi Arabia. InterContinental is no exception.

BIOGRAPHY
Mohammed Al-Refai is the executive assistant manager at InterContinental, Jeddah. He has held this position since 2015, but has worked for InterContinental in various capacities since 1995, from receptionist to executive. Al-Refai has a degree in business administration from King Abdul-Aziz University.Where do you see major potential for growth in Jeddah's tourism and entertainment sector, and what role could the city play within the country's broader strategy?
Jeddah is in a great location, along Saudi Arabia's west coast and the Red Sea. There is a major port, bringing trade and travel from across the region and the world. Of course, there are also the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Our international airport serves as the main gateway to this region, the Hijaz, a major trading route between north and south since ancient times. Jeddah is the main tourist and economic capital of the Kingdom, home to national and international companies as well as major consulates. We are at the center of efforts to expand tourism into Saudi Arabia through the building of new entertainment facilities. After all, we are the second-largest city in the Kingdom. This is why InterContinental is so optimistic about the city and its future.
How should high-profile hotels in Jeddah adjust in line with the expected increase in the number of international guests?
Given the large number of national and international businesses in the city, hotels in Jeddah have been host to thousands of business travelers over the years. Part of Vision 2030 is to increase travel to the Kingdom for leisure as well as spiritual purposes. We play a key role in that plan.
Where do you see the biggest gaps in the Saudi hospitality segment?
Every challenge is an opportunity. We do not know the meaning of the word “gap." Any shortfall in services is an opportunity to be resourceful and think outside of the box. The growth of the hospitality sector is extremely promising, as it reflects Vision 2030 itself. We want to grow alongside Saudi Arabia.
What are your strategic priorities for 2020?
Our strategy is to build strong relationships and partnerships with local and international companies. By offering more entertainment services, we hope to create a demand that we will later serve. We need to make customers first before we can profit from their business.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Mohammed A. Al-Mowkley , Deputy Minister of Water Services, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture & CEO, National Water Company (NWC)
NWC leads the Kingdom's efforts to preserve water as a non-renewable national resource and drastically reduce the average per capita water consumption.
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Majed H. Al Saadi , Managing Director, Priority Projects Office (PPO), Local Content and Government Procurement Authority
PPO and ECA act as an accelerator for the realization of Vision 2030 by bridging the gap between the private and public sectors and helping the government diversify the economy in the long run.
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HRH Princess Hala bint Khaled bin Sultan Al-Saud C, Chairman, Saudi Law Conference (SLC) organizing committee & Founder,, Burhan Almarifa
Burhan Almarifa is focused on maturing the legal sector, encouraging innovation, and enabling research and development in KSA through knowledge transfer and consultancy.
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Sahel N. Abduljauwad, Rector, King Fahd University oF Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
The King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals has long been the backbone of Saudi Arabia's formidable drilling expertise. Today, it is working to train the next generation of renewable energy and water management scientists.
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Dr. Abdullah Al-Rubaish, Rector, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU)
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rubaish was appointed vice president of KFU in 2007 and president in 2010. He combined his executive experience from serving in various deanships at KFU with academic practices to become associate professor of medicine and work as a medical consultant at the Department of Internal Medicine. He graduated from KFU's College of Medicine and completed his medical internship at KFHU, where he also pursued a fellowship program. He became a member of the UK Royal College of Physicians and the Arab Board after he completed his sub-subspecialty in Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada.
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Rajaa Moumena, Founder & President, Future Institute of Higher Education and Training
Saudi Arabia is allowing women more privileges, including driving and becoming ambassadors. The Future Institute of Higher Education and Training is trying to help by providing courses they need to adapt to this new world.
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