Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Soudah Peaks project is set to redefine the Kingdom’s tourism landscape, bringing together the natural beauty of the ’Asir Province’ with cutting-edge infrastructure and luxury hospitality. Announced in September 2023, the project is part of Vision 2030, aiming to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism powerhouse. With a $7.7 billion investment, Soudah Peaks will cover 627 km², sitting at an elevation of 3,015 meters above sea level, making it the highest luxury mountain tourism destination in the Middle East.
The project is expected to attract 2 million visitors annually by 2033, providing a major boost to Saudi Arabia’s tourism, construction, and hospitality sectors. However, the success of such an ambitious undertaking requires an extensive workforce, particularly skilled expatriates, to drive its development, from construction to operational phases.
The Soudah Peaks project involves extensive infrastructure development, including:
- • Luxury hotels, resorts, and residential complexes
- • Ski resorts and adventure tourism facilities
- • Advanced transportation networks and road systems
- • Sustainable, eco-friendly structures
The challenge of constructing high-altitude infrastructure in mountainous terrain requires expertise in geotechnical engineering, road construction, and environmental sustainability. With Saudi Arabia rapidly expanding its mega-projects portfolio, the demand for skilled construction professionals, surveyors, heavy equipment operators, and civil engineers is at an all-time high. Many of these roles will be filled by expatriate workers, as local manpower may not yet have the specialized experience needed for such complex developments.
With an influx of 2 million tourists annually, Soudah Peaks is designed to become a high-end tourism hub, attracting visitors seeking luxury experiences, adventure tourism, and cultural exploration. The hospitality sector will require a significant workforce to manage and operate:
- • High-end hotels, boutique resorts, and wellness retreats
- • World-class restaurants, entertainment venues, and shopping centers
- • Adventure tourism services, including skiing, hiking, and eco-tourism experiences
The demand for experienced hospitality professionals including hotel managers, chefs, concierge staff, and tourism guides will surge, creating new job opportunities for skilled expatriates. Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry is already experiencing rapid expansion, with major hotel brands investing heavily in the Kingdom. The success of Soudah Peaks will depend on the ability to attract, train, and retain global talent capable of delivering world-class service.
Saudi Arabia’s ongoing tourism transformation relies heavily on importing expertise from international markets. The Kingdom’s hospitality and construction workforce has historically been supported by professionals from South Asia, the Philippines, and Europe, and this trend will continue as demand grows.
Key Workforce Demands for Soudah Peaks are
Construction Sector: Civil engineers, project managers, surveyors, heavy equipment operators, and sustainable construction specialists.
Hospitality Sector: Hotel staff, chefs, tourism operators, guest service professionals, and resort management experts.
Tourism & Adventure Services: Tour guides, ski instructors, eco-tourism specialists, and experience designers.
Saudi Arabia’s evolving work visa regulations and workforce incentives will play a crucial role in attracting top-tier international talent. With the Kingdom aiming to become a global tourism leader, the success of Soudah Peaks will hinge on the ability to source and integrate skilled expatriate professionals into the workforce.
The Soudah Peaks Tourism Project is not just a landmark development in Saudi Arabia, it represents the Kingdom’s commitment to economic diversification, sustainable tourism, and international collaboration. As construction accelerates and luxury hospitality investments pour in, the need for a skilled global workforce will be more critical than ever. This is where Thrive plays a vital role, ensuring that Saudi Arabia’s growing industries have access to highly skilled expatriate professionals across construction, hospitality, and tourism services.
THRIVE connects businesses with top-tier talent, ensuring projects are executed with precision, efficiency, and world-class expertise. As Saudi Arabia moves toward its Vision 2030 goals, THRIVE stands as a trusted partner, helping organizations build, operate, and sustain the workforce needed for this transformation.
