Saudisation: Saudi Arabia reveals full list and timeline of 41 tourism jobs reserved for nationals

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has released the full list of 41 professions set to be localised in the tourism sector, following its Saudisation plan, which was announced on Monday to expand job opportunities for citizens and strengthen the national workforce across private establishments.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, will be implemented in three phases beginning April 22, 2026, and extending through January 2028.

Each phase imposes specific Saudisation quotas, ranging from 30 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the profession.

According to the official procedural guide, the affected professions cover operational, administrative, customer service, and senior management roles.

The full list is as follows:

Phase One – 100% Saudisation (Effective April 22, 2026)

Administrative roles:

1. Receptionist

2. Hotel receptionist

3. Information clerk

4. Telephone operator

Phase One – 70% Saudisation (Effective April 22, 2026)

Supervisory and specialist roles:

5. Branch manager

6. Hotel compliance manager

7. Procurement specialist

8. Public relations specialist

9. Sales specialist

10. Hotel auditor

11. Hotel inspector

12. Tourism specialist

13. Tour guide

14. Public services supervisor

15. Tourism guidance specialist

16. Health club attendant

Phase One – 50% Saudisation (Effective April 22, 2026)

Operational, sales, and marketing roles:

17. Tourism development specialist

18. Hospitality specialist

19. Cleaning and housekeeping supervisor

20. Restaurant host

21. Sales representative

22. Ticket seller

23. Travel ticket clerk

24. Event coordinator

25. Travel agent

26. Marketing specialist

27. Tour organizer

28. Purchasing representative

Phase Two – 30% Saudisation (Effective January 3, 2027)

High-demand specialised role:

29. Chef

Phase Three – 50% Saudisation (Effective January 2, 2028)

Strategic and senior management roles:

30. Hotel operations manager

31. Restaurant manager

32. Food and beverage services manager

33. Travel agency manager

34. Marketing manager

35. Sales manager

36. Operations manager

37. Procurement manager

38. Project management director

39. Planning and development director

40. Commercial manager

41. Hotel manager

Each profession has been mapped to a specific job code under the Saudi occupational classification system. The new regulation mandates that private tourism businesses meet the Saudisation targets by the specified deadlines or face penalties.

The detailed procedural guide has been published on the ministry’s website, outlining which professions are covered, the specific Saudisation ratios required, and penalties for non-compliance. The guide also includes the formulas used to calculate adherence to localization targets.

“This initiative will support our ongoing efforts to elevate the presence of Saudi talent in the labor market,” the ministry said. “We are committed to empowering national competencies and creating a more dynamic, sustainable economy.”

Tourism has emerged as one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing sectors, driven by ambitious projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea development, and the introduction of tourist visas.