Tourism Ministry unveils policies to boost localization to 50% by 2028

Logo of Ministry of Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism announced the launch of policies for the localization of activities and worker registration, with the goal of raising the Saudization rate to 50% by 2028 across all licensed tourism establishments.

The first phase of Saudization will set the rate at 40% starting April 22, 2026; the second phase at 45% starting January 3, 2027; and the third phase at 50% starting January 2, 2028, the ministry explained on its “X” account.

It noted that the requirements for worker registration include documenting contracts for all workers under contracting, secondment, temporary, seasonal, or outsourcing arrangements on the “Ajeer” platform.

Additionally, before starting work, all employees must register in the systems of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) under the establishment's file associated with the tourism license.

The rules for outsourcing and delegation prohibit assigning or outsourcing jobs outside the Kingdom for occupations subject to Saudization decisions.

They also require the presence of a Saudi receptionist in hospitality facilities during working hours, while outsourcing or delegating jobs covered by Saudization decisions must be carried out through establishments licensed by the Ministry of Tourism or those licensed by the HRSD Ministry to assign Saudi workers.