2021 in review: Saudi Arabia boosting prominently situated as an entertainment niche

This year; was a remarkable one for the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia where the kingdom held a longer "Riyadh Season" that attracted a double number of visitors through this half-year long festival.

The entertainment season started in the Saudi capital in 2019 with a plan to attract consumers spending money that would have gone abroad in search of entertainment; as a part of diversifying the kingdom revenues away from the oil sector that highlights an essential corner of the 2030 vision.

Riyadh season revenues

In November 2019; the festival helped restaurants and cafes report an 54% annual increase in the number of electronic point-of-sales transactions

The government spent US$830 million on events that year; generating 6 billion riyals markedly in "direct and indirect" revenue; according to entertainment authority chairman Turki Al Ashikh.

As the festival was suspended during the pandemic year; Turki Al-Sheikh; chairman of GEA revealed that the first edition of the Riyadh season's income reached SR6 billion directly and indirectly while spending SR3.1 billion.

Riyadh Season impact

Under the slogan "Imagine More"; the activities of the Riyadh season 2021 were also launched this year; with a large audience in attendance at an opening ceremony that is considered the "largest in the region"; amounting to 750;000 people; according to the head of the Saudi Entertainment Authority; Turki Al-Sheikh.

The Saudi Entertainment Authority managed to consolidate the season as one of the most prominent entertainment destinations in the region and the world.

The Saudi officials aim to attract top stars across the world; and hundreds of ongoing events until March 2022.

"Entertainment diplomacy" was the most prominent feature of the launch of the Saudi Entertainment Authority; to open the Riyadh season; which markedly witnessed the presence of Gulf; Arab and European diplomats.

The 2021 Riyadh season comes after a pause last year due to the Corona virus pandemic; with new events and platforms that were launched in order to accommodate a larger audience.

The Saudi Entertainment Authority markedly planned to make the Riyadh season "a mixture of exclusivity; suspense and modernity; to make Riyadh a great incubator; a favorite destination; and a stimulating space that exceeds the local and international imagination; with what it provides to residents and visitor;" according to the officials responsible for the event.

The season also aimes at raising the level of the entertainment sector industry and also increasing its size; also creating job opportunities; growing economic returns; and also attracting foreign investment.