عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Riyadh Season Attracts 20 Million Visitors with 100% Qualitative Leap

The Boulevard World is one of the most important zones that attract visitors during the Riyadh Season. (Media Center of the General Entertainment Authority)
The Boulevard World is one of the most important zones that attract visitors during the Riyadh Season. (Media Center of the General Entertainment Authority)
TT
TT

Riyadh Season Attracts 20 Million Visitors with 100% Qualitative Leap

The Boulevard World is one of the most important zones that attract visitors during the Riyadh Season. (Media Center of the General Entertainment Authority)
The Boulevard World is one of the most important zones that attract visitors during the Riyadh Season. (Media Center of the General Entertainment Authority)

The fourth edition of the Riyadh Season, which falls within the initiatives of the General Entertainment Authority, saw a qualitative leap in the number of visitors, attracting around 20 million people from inside and outside the Kingdom, compared to 10 million in its first edition in 2019.Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority’s board of directors, Turki Al-Sheikh said that 20 million people visited Riyadh Season 2023 from inside and outside Saudi Arabia, thanks to the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Al-Sheikh also revealed the launch of the Eid al-Fitr 2024 identity, under the slogan “Your Eid among your family and loved ones.”The Saudi government has recently announced completing one of the goals of Vision 2030 that is attracting 100 million visitors during the past year, unveiling a new strategy by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that seeks to bring 150 million visitors to the Kingdom.The Riyadh Season activities started on Oct. 20, with 12 regions offering exceptional experiences to millions of local and foreign tourists.The event displays innovative achievements in the world of entertainment, amusement parks, sports, art, culture, and much more.

This season hosted three international boxing fights, the Riyadh Season Football Cup Championship, the Egypt Cup, the tennis, snooker, padel and skating tournaments, as well as many plays and artistic concerts.The event also featured the Joy Awards for the entertainment industry, which was attended by a number of local and international artists.General Manager and CEO of Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Company, Majed Al Hokair, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the increasing number of visitors proves the success of the General Entertainment Authority’s strategy, led by Turki Al-Sheikh.For his part, Nasser Al-Ghailan, founder and CEO of a leading tourism investment company, stressed that the Riyadh Season has become an international event that attracts local and foreign tourists and revives the commercial activity of national companies specialized in the tourism, travel and entertainment sector, specifically small and medium enterprises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Saudi Investment Climate Draws 184 New Regional Headquarters

Riyadh hosts many regional headquarters for global companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh hosts many regional headquarters for global companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Saudi Investment Climate Draws 184 New Regional Headquarters

Riyadh hosts many regional headquarters for global companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh hosts many regional headquarters for global companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve its investment climate are attracting more regional companies. In the second quarter of this year, 57 companies moved their regional offices to the Kingdom, an 84% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

This follows 127 licenses issued in the first quarter, bringing the total to about 184 for the first half of the year.

The Ministry of Investment processed 4,709 investor visit visa applications, allowing foreign investors to explore opportunities in Saudi Arabia. It also addressed 38 investor issues, including legal and procedural challenges.

The Ministry’s latest report shows a 49.6% rise in new investment licenses, with a total of 2,728 issued in the second quarter, up from 1,824 a year earlier (excluding licenses from the commercial concealment correction campaign).

Recent investment licenses have been largely focused on construction, manufacturing, professional services, education, information and communications, and the food and retail sectors.

Mining and quarrying saw the biggest growth in new licenses in the second quarter, up 209.1% from last year. This was followed by other services with a 110.5% increase and wholesale and retail trade with a 96.3% rise.

The report highlights two key investment initiatives for the second quarter of 2024.

The Ministry of Economy and Planning introduced the “Sustainability Pioneers” program in Riyadh.

This initiative promotes sustainability nationwide by encouraging collaboration among top companies in key sectors, supporting the Kingdom’s green economy goals under Vision 2030.

The program emphasizes the role of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable development and environmental protection.

Additionally, the Fashion Commission launched "The Lab" in partnership with Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City) in Riyadh.

This new studio aims to advance the fashion industry by offering designers training and resources to improve manufacturing. It also seeks to create investment opportunities and support the sector’s growth.

The report also touched on the initiatives of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, which was recently established to enhance the development of mutual economic partnership in 13 vital and promising sectors. It is a forum for exchanging qualitative expertise and reviewing the latest practices in priority activities.

The initiative contributes to enhancing the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, and is accompanied by events with the participation of the most creative and innovative companies to enhance partnership in promising and emerging fields between the two countries.