The program, entitled “Ibtisam” (smile), was inaugurated at Al-Hokair Fun Town in Makkah on Saturday. The event was attended by hundreds of students, teachers and parents.

“In the current academic year, 120,000 students will benefit from the ‘Ibtisam’ program, which will give them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with tourist sites in their towns, cities, provinces and country,” said Jamal Faiz, director of activities at the Ministry of Education.

The program aims to enlighten school students on the significance of tourism in terms of its economic potentials, he added. Among dignitaries who attended the launch were Muhammad Al-Shamrani, assistant director of education in Makkah, and Muhammad Al-Amri, executive director of tourism and antiquities promotion in Makkah.

Saeed Al-Mabous, coordinator of the program at the Directorate of Training and Education, said the program aims to bring the education sector and the tourism industry together.