Running from September 3-5 and organised by Lebanese firm Advanced Conferences and Meetings, Entertainment KSA aims to provide an international platform to bring together key government ministries and authorities, regional and international consultants, retail developers, operators and suppliers to FECs, amusement parks and cinemas.  They will discuss how to grow the country’s entertainment sector and offer leisure opportunities for all citizens and tourists.  The event is driven by the Saudi Vision 2030 that was announced in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, which plans to reform the country by reducing its dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public services, recreation and tourism.  One of the key pillars in the project is to improve the quality of life of the Saudi People and growing young population by providing high-standard entertainment and leisure opportunities for them. 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, is set to host a conference to match the kingdom’s ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 plans.

Saudis spend US$7.4bn outside of the kingdom annually and this is something the government wishes to keep within its borders.  To help achieve this, the General Entertainment Authority has been established, into which over US$2bn has already been invested.  The GEA has a mandate to provide full entertainment offerings aligned with global standards, which are available across the kingdom and accessible to all segments of society.  Since the announcement of the project, there has already been a number of major developments including the legalisation of cinemas and a 334sq.km sports, culture and entertainment complex at AI-Qidiya, south-west of Riyadh, which will include a Six Flags amusement park.  A Dubai-style beach resort is also proposed to be built on the Red Sea between the towns of Umluj and AI-Wajh in the northern section of the Hejazi coast, featuring 50 islands over a 34,000sq.km area.  A statement by the Saudi Public Investment Fund Proclaimed that the resort will be an “upmarket tourism and leisure mega-development,” which will be “governed by laws on par with international standards.” (2018/05/31)