The hospitality sector is a beacon of dynamism and profitability within the Saudi economy. Yet, it faces significant challenges, such as the migration of skilled workers and high employee turnover rates. To transform these challenges into opportunities for growth, it is essential to empower Saudi citizens to take an active role in shaping the sector's success. A comprehensive study was conducted involving employees from four- and five-star hotels, using convenience sampling to gather valuable data. After excluding 19 forms with missing or invalid information, a total of 186 valid survey responses were analyzed. Furthermore, five semi-structured interviews with employees from the Ministry of Tourism. The findings underscore the urgent need for hotels to reformulate their policies, enhancing the participation of Saudi citizens and addressing high turnover rates. This can be achieved by significantly improving training and qualification programs. By strengthening collaboration between educational institutions and hotels to provide practical training opportunities for students before graduation, we can foster skill development and improve overall working conditions. Moreover, embracing flexible work systems, cultivating leadership skills, and equipping both workers and managers with tools to navigate challenges are essential steps forward. Encouraging employees to aspire to senior positions is equally important. Finally, empowering Saudi women to take on pivotal roles in the hospitality sector will further elevate its future growth.