KUWAIT CITY, Nov 5: Kuwait's Ministry of Information on Wednesday launched four online training courses under the "Skills for Tourism" program, offering free access to all professionals in the country’s tourism sector to enhance their skills and knowledge.

The initiative was launched under the directives of the Minister of Information, Culture, and the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, in coordination with the Ministry of State for Communications. The program is implemented in cooperation with SPARK, an international charitable organization dedicated to training youth for education, employment, and entrepreneurial projects, and is funded by Google’s philanthropic arm.

The training covers four main tracks, including government tourism strategies, management of small and medium-sized enterprises in experiential tourism, and event planning and design.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Nasser Muhaisen, said the program builds on an earlier phase that targeted Tourism Department staff and now includes all tourism sector workers. He noted it would promote digital transformation, knowledge sharing, and modern skills, supporting national goals to develop tourism, diversify the economy, and improve service quality.

Google’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the MENA region, Naser Qawami, said the program will equip Kuwait’s tourism workforce with essential digital skills, fostering sustainable growth and empowering local talent.

SPARK’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Dina Al-Masaeid, highlighted that the initiative aims to empower individuals and institutions, helping to create a more dynamic and sustainable tourism sector in the region.

The program is designed to support 25,000 job seekers and small business owners across the Middle East and Gulf region. Courses are available in Arabic and English and focus on developing tourism sector skills.

The Ministry of Information said the initiative aligns with Kuwait’s "New Kuwait 2035" vision, aiming to strengthen the country’s position as a premier tourist destination, enhance workforce efficiency in public and private institutions, and foster innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector.