New Saudisation figures have been shared for the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. The industry has hit 21.7 percent Saudisation, with particular successes when it comes to hiring local women.
The Saudi Gazette reported that the number of employees in the accommodation and food services activities in Saudi Arabia, who are subjected to the social insurance rules and regulations, has reached, by the end of the first quarter of 2023, to about 694,000 workers. The number of foreign workers in the sector of accommodation and hotel services reached to about 543,200 workers, versus about 151,000 Saudi workers.
As for women in the hotel sector, there are about 78,060 female workers, constituting 11.3 percent of the total employees.
The Saudi women acquired the highest percentage in the sector with 92.6 percent, as their number reached 72,270, versus 5,793 foreign female workers.
Saudisation is vital to motivate future hospitality staff, say experts
Saudisation – government-backed targets to hire more locals – tends to be a divisive topic in hospitality. While everyone agrees employing more Saudi locals is a good thing, some argue hiring for ‘targets over talent’ is the wrong way to go about it.
Localization efforts should be pushed even further, say experts, not to reach a bigger number, but to create additional inspirational stories for other young hoteliers. Earlier this year at the Hospitality3.0 Conference, four leaders in hospitality, F&B and asset management discussed how to attract and retain Saudis.
Bastien Blanc, board member, TroKadero Management said: “A smile is the cheapest investment, that’s true in restaurants and hotels, but more vocational training is needed. The educational system in KSA is not growing at the speed of the hospitality sector. Hotels and restaurants are simply opening more quickly than educational systems can provide. We need to develop that natural hospitality to an industrial level.
“Vocational training is what creates the next generation of talent. Right now, Saudisation [in hospitality] is a lot about getting ‘into the green.’ My view is, why stop there?
“The aim should be to develop as many talents as possible who can become the inspiration to others. We need to motivate people to join. Inspiration creates motivation. The more you bring more Saudis and develop their talents, the more will follow.”
The recently released Saudisation figures for Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector showcase a significant stride, with the industry achieving a Saudisation rate of 21.7 percent. Particularly noteworthy is the success in the employment of local women, signifying a positive shift towards gender diversity and inclusion. According to reports, the accommodation and food services activities sector boasted approximately 694,000 employees under social insurance regulations by the first quarter of 2023. Among them, around 543,200 foreign workers were contrasted with approximately 151,000 Saudi workers. An encouraging trend emerges among female workers within the hotel sector, where 78,060 women comprise 11.3 percent of the total workforce. Impressively, Saudi women claim a remarkable 92.6 percent of this sector, with 72,270 individuals employed, while 5,793 foreign female workers contribute. The concept of Saudisation, despite sparking debates, remains integral to nurturing future talents in the hospitality realm. Rather than solely focusing on achieving numerical targets, experts argue that localization efforts should aim to foster inspirational success stories among young hoteliers. Prominent figures in the industry emphasize the importance of vocational training to meet the accelerating growth of the sector, highlighting the need for talent development. In this context, BM Events Casual Staffing Company emerges as a pivotal player. Through their on-demand hospitality staffing solutions, they champion industry excellence, synergizing with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goal of becoming a premier tourist destination. As Saudi Arabia redefines its tourism landscape, BM Events continues to provide crucial support, contributing to the nation’s journey toward unparalleled success.
