Saudi Arabia To Localize 41 Professions In Tourism Sector, Including Hotel Manager And Receptionist
Saudi Arabia announced on Monday the decision to localize 41 professions in the tourism sector in private sector establishments.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, will implement the decision in three phases, of which the first phase will begin on 22 April 2026. This comes as part of the government's efforts to provide more stimulating job opportunities for male and female citizens across the Kingdom.
The new Saudization drive will cover 41 leadership and specialized professions, most notably hotel manager, hotel operations manager, hotel control manager, travel agency manager, planning and development manager, tourism development specialist, tourist guide specialist, tourist organizer, hotel specialist, site guide, purchasing specialist, sales specialist, and hotel receptionist.
The first phase of implementation of the Saudization decision will begin on April 22, 2026, while the second phase will start on January 3, 2027, and the third and final phase on January 2, 2028. This decision will be applicable to all private sector tourism establishments.
The MHRSD has issued a procedural guide that contains details about the decision, including professions that are going to be Saudized, percentages of Saudization and the like on its website so as to inform employers and establishments about the mechanism for calculating Saudization and the prescribed penalties for violators.
It is worthy to note that this decision is a continuation of the efforts of MHRSD to raise the percentage of Saudization in professions in order to achieve the objectives of the labor market strategy of supporting national competencies and increasing their employment opportunities in various sectors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Trade Arabia
5 days ago
- Trade Arabia
Nominations open for inaugural Tourise Awards
The Tourise Awards officially launched on Monday as a new global benchmark celebrating excellence in tourism destinations. Created to honour places that are shaping the future of travel, the awards spotlight destinations delivering meaningful, memorable, and measurable value across the traveller journey. Nominations are now open to individual travellers, industry professionals, and organisations passionate about recognising the world's most exceptional places. The Tourise Awards are an extension of the Tourise platform powered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism and announced via a virtual press conference on May 22. In line with the Tourise ethos, the awards take a bold stance recognising destinations with a strong sense of identity, measurable impact, and responsible management. Eligible destinations must have (i) a defined geographic scope (a city, region or site), (ii) a distinct identity and character that stems from culture, landscapes and attractions that shape how the destination is perceived by travelers, and finally (iii) must be backed by a tourism governing body responsible for ensuring a destination is effectively managed. The Tourise Awards feature five distinct award categories: Best Arts and Culture Destination, Best Adventure Destination, Best Food and Culinary Destination, Best Shopping Destination, and Best Entertainment Destination. In addition, a flagship Best Overall Destination award will recognise the destination that excels across all aspects of the traveler experience — setting a new global benchmark as the most exceptional place to visit. Jean-Philippe Cossé, CEO of Tourise, said: 'Tourism is not just a key economic engine — it's a powerful connector of cultures, a builder of communities, and a driver of sustainable change. As the industry undergoes a bold transformation, it's more crucial than ever to spotlight the destinations that are leading with vision, purpose, and resilience. The Tourise Awards are our tribute to those extraordinary places that don't just welcome travellers — they inspire them, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what tourism can achieve. These awards put destinations at the center of the global conversation, celebrating the pioneers who are shaping the future of travel.' The Tourise Awards will be judged by an independent jury panel comprised of a powerhouse of cross-industry trailblazers from the worlds of travel and tourism, fashion, culinary, art, retail, culture, adventure and entertainment: • Filip Boyen, Former CEO, Forbes Travel Guide; • Michael Ellis, Former Global Director, Michelin Guides; • Fiona Jeffery, Former Chair, World Travel Market; Former Chair Tourism for Tomorrow Awards; • Renaud de Lesquen; Former CEO, Givenchy, Former President Dior AM; • Lars Nittve, Former Founding Director, Tate Modern; • Caroline Rush, Former CEO, British Fashion Council; • Omar Samra, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Mountaineer and Polar Explorer • Bernold Schroeder, Former CEO, Kempinski; Pan Pacific. Eligible destinations will be evaluated across 10 assessment criteria, grouped into three key areas, which make up the destination experience: offering, value, convenience. Judges will assess how destinations perform across these areas — considering what they offer, how accessible and visitor-friendly they are, the overall value they provide, and most importantly, the quality and impact of the experience. This includes looking at factors such as authenticity, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, accessibility, accommodation variety, and safety, all of which contribute to a destination's ability to deliver a meaningful and memorable journey. The winners of the inaugural Tourise Awards will be announced at the Tourise Summit, taking place in Riyadh from November 11 to 13. The summit will bring together leading voices from across tourism, travel, investment, and innovation — from heads of state and visionary CEOs to creators, disruptors, and global investors. It will serve as a platform to spark bold ideas, build transformative partnerships, and shape new standards for the future of travel. Nominations are open at from June 2 to July 9. -
Gulf Insider
26-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: HR Ministry Launches ‘CV Upload' Service For Domestic Workers On Musaned
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched the 'CV Upload' service for domestic workers through the Musaned platform, allowing employers to use it when transferring service of a worker to another employer. The ministry noted that this service is an innovative model designed to facilitate the selection of workers based on their résumé and to enable the smooth and streamlined transfer of services. The process is fully automated, enhancing employers' access to domestic workers already residing in the Kingdom. Through Musaned, domestic workers can upload their CVs once their contract with their current employer ends. The uploaded CVs include details such as job titles and acquired experience, allowing prospective employers to search and select candidates based on skills and job requirements. This measure also helps protect the rights of both workers and employers. This service aligns with the ministry's broader efforts to develop the recruitment sector in the Kingdom. Previously, the ministry launched several initiatives to safeguard the rights of both parties in the contractual relationship, including the Wages Protection Program for domestic workers, mandatory insurance, and the Unified Contract Program, which is binding on both parties and clearly outlines their rights and obligations.
Gulf Insider
19-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Hospitality Facilities Will Face Maximum Fine of SR1 Million
The Ministry of Tourism warned private tourist and hospitality facilities of maximum fine of SR1 million for committing violations related to license the absence of the requisite license or permit, the violators will face penalties, which may include fines of up to SR1 million, facility closure, or both, along with potential damage to the establishment's reputation, the ministry said while emphasizing that penalties will be imposed on any establishment that violates the Tourism Law by operating without the necessary license from the Ministry of ministry stressed the importance of hospitality and private tourist facilities obtaining proper licenses to operate in compliance with the Tourism Law and its regulations. This requirement aims to ensure the quality of services provided to tourists and visitors across all Saudi regions and read: Etidal Blocks 1.2 Million Extremist Links That Used to Evade Digital Monitoring 16 minutes ago 15 hours ago 15 hours ago
