Less than two months have passed since the launch of the fourth edition of the Riyadh Season. The event is considered one of the basic pillars of the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia and aims to transform the Kingdom into a world-leading tourist destination, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Since the start of the first edition in 2019, direct and indirect income generated from the event has gradually increased from SAR 4 billion to around SAR 6 billion, according to previous statements by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh.
The revenues of this year’s edition are expected to grow in light of the new and varied events and programs.
Since the launch of the fourth edition, the number of visitors has reached more than 5 million, who came from various regions of the Kingdom and the world.
Saudi Arabia ranked first among the G20 countries, and second globally in the growth rate of the number of international tourists, achieving a growth of 50 percent in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the World Tourism Report.
The Riyadh Season is expected to generate thousands of job opportunities, as it provided 187,000 direct and indirect jobs last season, and aims to provide 200,000 employments, of which 60,000 are direct.
According to the Ministry of Finance, around 12 million visitors attended the 2022 edition of the Riyadh Season, which contributed to the creation of approximately 25,000 direct jobs and maximizing the entertainment impact on the Kingdom’s residents and visitors.
The figures provided by the Entertainment Portal - which provides licenses for activities and services affiliated with the General Entertainment Authority and aims to develop and regulate the entertainment sector in the Kingdom - reflect the growing importance of this vital sector.
Around 495 licenses were issued in November, while the total number since the launch of the portal in 2020 exceeded 15,000 licenses, for more than 4,500 establishments working to implement entertainment activities in various fields related to the sector.
Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Riyadh Season contributed greatly to the promotion of tourism and the strengthening of the Saudi economy.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Hokair Group, Majed Al Hokair, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Riyadh Season was one of the pillars of tourism and economy in Saudi Arabia, adding: “The season has become not only about entertainment activities, but rather it is moving towards an actual, professional, model industry.”
The founder and partner of Al Sarh Tourism Company, Muhaidib Al Muhaidib, explained that the Riyadh Season helps the tourism sector achieve the goals of Vision 2030.
He noted that the Kingdom has made amendments to the visit visa regulations for the purpose of tourism, in addition to facilitating the procedures for the arrival of pilgrims from abroad. In August, the country also allowed the access to electronic visas to eight new countries, expanding the scope of the visa to 57 countries around the world.
