In 2024, while the IMF projected global growth to stabilize at 3.2%, the GCC economies, at 2.8%, hinted at something more—a brewing recovery poised to outpace global trends in 2025. For those on the ground, particularly in Information Technology and Hospitality, the story was one of vibrant growth and boundless opportunity.
IT: The Gulf’s Tech Revolution
The IT sector in the GCC wasn’t just growing; it was roaring, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a central hub in the tech revolution. While Dubai’s ambitions to lead the global tech scene continued to drive demand, Saudi Arabia significantly raised the stakes.
In December 2024, the Kingdom recorded an astounding 2,570 new IT job postings in a single day. In high-demand fields like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing, salaries soared with a 50% premium. DevOps engineers and full-stack developers saw similar booms, with job postings rising 35% and 40%, respectively.
“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a game-changer for tech. The sheer pace of change here is unmatched,” said Khaled, a Riyadh-based AI specialist. Saudi Arabia’s strategy to become a global leader in tech and innovation was visibly paying off, with major projects in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing creating thousands of job opportunities.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s tech scene remained active, with cloud engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists in high demand. Job postings surged by 30% for cloud engineers, 25% for data scientists, and a staggering 40% increase for cybersecurity specialists. However, Dubai faced challenges, including a shortage of 5,000 IT professionals in emerging tech roles. The city’s tech bootcamps aimed to graduate 20,000 developers by the end of the year to meet these demands.
Hospitality: The Beating Heart of the GCC
While technology raced ahead, hospitality quietly expanded its role as the lifeblood of the GCC’s economy. In Q2 2024, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector employed 959,175 workers, a 5.1% increase from 2023, further supporting the Kingdom’s push for a diversified economy under Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector is projected to grow at a remarkable 7.5% CAGR through 2028, reaching US$48.1 billion.
In comparison, Dubai continued to be a major player in the hospitality market, leveraging its status as a global tourism hub. However, Saudi Arabia’s growing investments in mega-projects like Neom and the Red Sea Development have positioned it as a rising leader in the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors, outpacing its neighbors in terms of both growth and opportunity.
Sectors Leading the Charge
Beyond IT and hospitality, other sectors flourished:
- FinTech: Digital payment platforms sparked innovation across the region.
- Government Projects: Vision 2030 drove a wave of digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, further strengthening its role as a regional leader.
- E-commerce: Boomed with changing consumer habits, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where online shopping and digital retail saw significant growth.
- Healthcare Tech: Leveraged AI to revolutionize care, with Saudi Arabia investing heavily in health tech as part of its Vision 2030 reforms.
A Region’s Bold Vision
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today,” said Malcolm X. This mantra captures the GCC’s spirit—undaunted by global challenges, driven by ambition, and determined to redefine its economic destiny. Whether in the dynamic tech hubs of Saudi Arabia or the flourishing hospitality sectors of Dubai, the Gulf’s recruitment surge in 2024 was not just about jobs; it was a testament to its unyielding resilience and visionary leadership.