عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Saudi Entertainment Authority Announces 1st Entertainment Business Accelerator

Saudi Arabia aims to make entertainment a vital sector in diversifying sources of income (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia aims to make entertainment a vital sector in diversifying sources of income (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20
TT

Saudi Entertainment Authority Announces 1st Entertainment Business Accelerator

Saudi Arabia aims to make entertainment a vital sector in diversifying sources of income (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia aims to make entertainment a vital sector in diversifying sources of income (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi General Entertainment Authority launched the Entertainment Business Accelerator program to encourage entrepreneurs interested in the rapidly growing sector.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom is experiencing an unprecedented leap in entertainment, which requires qualifying the most significant number of enterprises to cope with the high demand in the current and upcoming phases.

The 12-week program will operate in two phases, aiming to provide entrepreneurs with guidance and training and link them with experts and consultants specialized in project development and a network of investors.

It provides weekly training workshops, and individual advisory sessions between entrepreneurs and specialized consultants will be provided as part of the program.

Experts will monitor participants' performance, support them in developing their projects, and help them prepare for the advanced investment rounds, where they will meet mentors weekly to expand their businesses.

The experts explained that entertainment projects in Saudi Arabia have recently proven successful in diversifying sources of income and increasing contribution to the gross domestic product.

They create job opportunities for male and female citizens, confirming the importance of providing and qualifying national companies capable of absorbing the size of mega projects and events to meet the government's ambition to promote the sector.

The program aligns with Vision 2030 in attracting 100 million visitors annually.

The Chairman of the Entertainment National Committee in the Federation of Saudi Chambers, al-Walid al-Baltan, explained that launching a program to accelerate and boost local competencies coincides with the upcoming projects that the Kingdom will witness in the entertainment sector.

Baltan told Asharq Al-Awsat that the business accelerator program would enable the owners of emerging projects to expand their business in the entertainment and compete to provide the best quality of services in line with the government's ambition.

He said it also creates multiple jobs for Saudis, adding that it diversifies sources of income and boosts the sector's contribution to the gross domestic product.

Managing Director of al-Hokair Tourism and Development Group Majed al-Hokair explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom is witnessing a quantum leap in entertainment, increasing the number of visitors from neighboring countries after Saudis used to travel to these countries for recreation.

Hokair indicated that the business accelerator launched by the Authority would enable small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs to expand their businesses by linking them with the largest network of investors in several mega projects in the Kingdom.

The Entertainment Business Accelerator program accepts applications that end in March. The program would continue until June, targeting seven sectors: cities and centers, organizing events and crowd control, operating facilities, technical solutions, managing and developing technical talents, ticketing, and supporting services.

"Riyadh Calendar" welcomed 14 million visitors in all its regions, hosting various events of various interests and entertainment.

Visitors to Riyadh Calendar increased with its activities, including many aspects of entertainment at the local, regional, and global levels, forming a new and innovative industry to enjoy throughout the capital.

Riyadh is hosting exceptional events, most notably "The Earth Voice Night," which was held in February with the participation of top Arab artists.

Most Viewed

 
Business

Israel-Iran Conflict Disrupts Air Travel in the Region

Flight information display screen shows updates about cancelled flights, due to schedule disruptions stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict, at the Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, Lebanon June 16, 2025. (Reuters)
Flight information display screen shows updates about cancelled flights, due to schedule disruptions stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict, at the Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, Lebanon June 16, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20
TT

Israel-Iran Conflict Disrupts Air Travel in the Region

Flight information display screen shows updates about cancelled flights, due to schedule disruptions stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict, at the Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, Lebanon June 16, 2025. (Reuters)
Flight information display screen shows updates about cancelled flights, due to schedule disruptions stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict, at the Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, Lebanon June 16, 2025. (Reuters)

The escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran is creating mounting challenges for Middle Eastern airlines, including airspace closures and rerouted flight paths, all of which are driving up operational costs.

While Gulf carriers are relying on alternative routes - albeit more expensive ones - private airlines in neighboring countries face the risk of exiting the market altogether if the crisis persists.

Countries geographically close to the conflict, such as Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan, are increasingly concerned about the conflict’s deepening impact on the civil aviation sector, which represents one of the most sensitive branches of their economies. The threat is no longer confined to security concerns alone, but is now hitting the economic core of these nations.

Dr. Hussein Al-Zahrani, an aviation investor, told Asharq Al-Awsat that countries geographically tied to the Iran-Israel conflict are already facing direct complications in the aviation sector. These include airport closures and rerouted flights, such as the diversion of Jordanian planes to Egypt’s Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh, or grounding aircraft entirely.

Al-Zahrani noted that national carriers in these countries, particularly state-owned airlines, are more likely to receive government support to help them weather the storm. However, the limited number of private airlines operating in these regions may not survive a prolonged crisis.

Iraq has approximately five carriers, Lebanon one, Syria two (one of which is government-owned), and Jordan three; all of which could suffer significantly if the conflict drags on.

In contrast, Gulf airlines have contingency plans in place, Al-Zahrani said, although they are not immune to the repercussions.

Increased flight distances and restricted airspace will present logistical and financial burdens, though Gulf carriers are more resilient and often absorb the extra costs themselves. In many cases, rerouting results in only minor extensions - around 20 minutes - which allows airlines to maintain stable pricing.

He cited exceptions, such as some northern-bound Kuwaiti flights to Europe that typically rely on Iraqi airspace. These will now need to reroute via Saudi airspace, then over the Mediterranean to reach Europe, significantly increasing flight durations and operating expenses.

Al-Zahrani also pointed out that many transcontinental flights between East and West, which pass over Saudi and Iraqi airspace, will be disrupted if closures in conflict zones persist. This may force airlines to reschedule, reroute, or even suspend certain long-haul routes if they become economically unfeasible.

Aviation-sector companies are considered foundational contributors to national budgets, particularly in countries where the industry plays a major economic role. According to Al-Zahrani, these entities are typically the first to suffer in the event of military conflicts, especially as oil prices rise and long-haul operations become increasingly expensive.

Observers warn that if Iran were to close the Strait of Hormuz - a vital maritime corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea - it would further heighten concerns for both maritime and air transportation companies, given the anticipated spike in insurance costs and risk premiums should the crisis continue.

Economic analyst Marwan Al-Sharif told Asharq Al-Awsat that airlines may be able to navigate the crisis if it remains short-lived, especially those operating in proximity to the warring parties. However, if the conflict drags on, the resulting losses could grow more severe, weakening the financial viability of many carriers amid rising fuel costs, airspace restrictions, and surging insurance rates.