Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) is the body charged with driving the development of the travel & tourism sector in KSA. Saudi Arabia has announced ambitious targets to increase visitor numbers, from 47 million in 2008 to 88 million by 2020. The number of hotel rooms will rise from 117,097 to 254,310, apartment units will increase from 101,544 to 185,853 and industry employment is set to grow from 1.1 million to 1.5 million, according to the SCTA 2020 vision. Dr Salah Al-Bhukayyet has been responsible for monitoring the criteria for classifying and licensing hotels.

He is also overseeing tourism funding, visa regulations and the licensing of timeshare units, tour guides, operators and major tourism projects, including Al Uqair and Souk Okaz.

In addition to helping ensure that hotels and key amenities are built and up to standard, the commission is also charged with training up Saudis so that they can take jobs in the industry. With those kinds of goals to aim for, Dr Albukayyet is a worthy inclusion on our list.