The hospitality industry in Saudi Arabia is developing rapidly, especially after the country began to consistently implement its ambitious Vision 2030 strategy. This strategy is aimed at developing the tourism sector as well. As a result, the hospitality industry in Saudi Arabia is currently in a phase of active growth and transformation.
The high demand for international services and the growing number of tourists in Saudi Arabia attract foreigners from all over the world. Ambitious projects for the construction of new luxury hotels and restaurants open up career opportunities for foreign chefs and aspiring chefs.
Good salaries, tax benefits and interesting work. Saudi Arabia offers great opportunities for professionals from all over the world. Find your dream job on the most popular Layboard platform and take advantage of career opportunities. Also, read on to find out what chefs looking for jobs in Saudi Arabia need to know.
The hospitality industry in Saudi Arabia: entertainment and tourism
Working as a chef abroad is quite lucrative. Especially when it comes to Saudi Arabia. The hospitality industry here is developing rapidly, especially after the launch of the ambitious Vision 2030 strategy. The sector is growing and transforming, offering great opportunities for professionals from all over the world.
Since opening its doors to tourists in 2019, Saudi Arabia has actively developed a tourism sector with different orientations, designed to cater to all incomes. These include cultural and historical sites as well as modern entertainment projects such asRed Sea Resort cities, including the Neom project.
Neom is a futuristic megaproject that promises to become a world-class innovation center. Neom has the potential to become an important tourist destination in the Middle East, offering both cultural and natural attractions. At the same time, it offers a window of opportunity for those working in the hospitality industry. This also applies to professional chefs. So, a chef job abroad can be very interesting if you choose Saudi Arabia.
New hotels and resorts
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the development of its tourism infrastructure. New luxury hotels, resorts, and conference centers are being built to attract international tourists and provide jobs for chefs from abroad. Over the past five years, hundreds of new hotels have been built in Saudi Arabia, especially as part of large projects such as Neom and to support pilgrimage and cultural tourism. Saudi Arabia aims to increase the number of annual tourists to 100 million by 2030, and this trend will continue.
Saudi Arabia has added more than 50,000 new hotel rooms between 2019 and 2023. Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina are the major cities that have seen the greatest increase in new hotels due to high demand from pilgrims and business travelers.
The country already has world-renowned hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott and Four Seasons. This has led to a growing demand for professional staff, especially in the hospitality and culinary fields.
Many foreign professionals work in the hospitality industry, including chefs, hotel managers, and concierges. Foreigners are attracted by high salaries and favorable employment conditions, including housing, health insurance, and tax benefits.
Growing demand for International cuisine and restaurants
Saudis are increasingly interested in international cuisine and restaurants are opening that offer a variety of world cuisines, from European to Asian. This represents a great opportunity for chefs and foodservice professionals. At the same time, local restaurants specializing in Saudi and Arabic cuisine remain an integral part of the market.
International quality standards are becoming the norm in hotels and restaurants. In particular, there is a strong focus on providing high-class service in five-star hotels and elite restaurants that cater to both tourists and business travelers.
The hospitality industry reflects changing social norms in Saudi Arabia. For example, women are now allowed to work in hotels and restaurants, and more women are taking on leadership roles in the hospitality industry. This is part of the country’s broader social reforms. In addition, entertainment events, concerts, and sports activities are now permitted in Saudi Arabia, which were previously rare. This has supported the hotel business and increased visitor numbers.
Salaries in Saudi Arabia
Salary levels in Saudi Arabia are globally competitive, especially for foreigners working in highly skilled industries such as hospitality. Low income tax and an excellent social package make Saudi Arabia an attractive place to work for foreign chefs.
A chef in hotels and restaurants can earn from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the level of the establishment and experience. For chefs at the beginning of their career, working conditions in Saudi Arabia can also be quite favorable, as they will work without additional benefits and taxes.
On average, novice chefs earn between $800 and $1,500 per month. In small restaurants and local cuisine establishments, salaries may be closer to the lower end of this range. In large international hotels and fine dining establishments, salaries are closer to the upper end. Meanwhile, in large cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, salaries are usually higher due to higher prices. In smaller cities and industrial areas, salaries may be slightly lower.
Tax advantages and bonuses
One of the main advantages for employees in Saudi Arabia is the absence of personal income tax, salaries are paid “net”, which makes even average salaries very attractive compared to other countries with a high tax burden.
The high quality of life, especially in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, is a big advantage, as many companies offer their employees housing and rental assistance. In addition, health insurance, paid vacation and airfare home are often provided. Saudi Arabia is an extremely dynamic country and offers many job opportunities for those who are looking for work. The hospitality industry is particularly interesting. The kingdom actively promotes the employment of the local population through “Saudization” programs, encouraging companies to hire more local workers. However, foreigners still make up a significant portion of the workforce, especially in highly skilled occupations.
