Tourism Ministry proposes mandatory staffing ratios, requiring up to 3 employees per hotel room

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism is set to implement mandatory minimum staffing requirements for tourist hospitality facilities, a move designed to bolster service quality and operational efficiency as the Kingdom experiences a surge in tourism.

The proposed "minimum staffing requirements for tourist hospitality facilities" scheme, currently open for public consultation, outlines specific employee-to-room ratios. Luxury five-star hotels, villas, apartments, and resorts would require three employees per room. Other classifications include four employees per five rooms for five-star establishments, three per five for four-star, two per five for three-star, and one per five for two-star facilities. One-star and unclassified establishments, along with hostels, would need one employee per ten rooms. Heritage hotels are slated for three employees per five rooms, while serviced apartments and holiday homes will have varying ratios based on their class.

Establishments licensed before the regulations take effect will have up to 180 days to comply, while those upgrading their classification will receive a 90-day grace period. The Ministry will verify employee numbers through data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, focusing on employees registered in the establishment's file or on the "Ajeer" platform.

Enforcement and penalties are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027. This initiative comes as Saudi tourism projects significant growth, with an estimated 123 million domestic and international tourists expected by 2025, and total tourism spending projected to reach SR304 billion. The rapid expansion necessitates enhanced readiness within the hospitality sector to meet increasing demand.