On Monday, Saudi Arabia unveiled a comprehensive plan to localize 41 tourism-related occupations as part of its endeavors to increase employment prospects for Saudi nationals and restructure the workforce in the private sector.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Tourism are spearheading the initiative, which will be implemented in three stages beginning on April 22, 2026, and will affect all private tourism businesses in the Kingdom.
Hotel manager, hotel operations manager, tourism development specialist, travel agency manager, site guide, and hotel receptionist are among the leadership and specialized positions that are targeted by the decision.
Specialists in sales, planning and development, and purchasing are additional positions.
The MHRSD said in a statement that the phased approach will maximize job prospects for Saudi nationals while ensuring a "smooth transition" for enterprises.
January 2, 2028 is the launch date for the final phase, whereas January 3, 2027 is the start date for the second phase.
