Saudi Arabia Sees Significant Growth in Entertainment and Tourism Sectors

At the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, industry leader Ben Elliot emphasized the substantial growth in entertainment and tourism opportunities in Saudi Arabia. He cited the recent opening of Sindalah, a luxury island resort, and praised the historical site of AlUla for its increased international accessibility. Fellow panelist Brent Montgomery underscored the rising potential in the entertainment industry, highlighting global content creation opportunities. Overall, the discussion reflected optimism about the Kingdom’s rapidly transforming tourism landscape.

Riyadh: During the Future Investment Initiative conference held in Riyadh, industry leader Ben Elliot, founder of the luxury services firm Quintessentially, asserted that Saudi Arabia has experienced a remarkable surge in entertainment and tourism opportunities in recent years. Over the past five years, Elliot noted that there has been a significant increase in options available to both residents and international travelers in the dining, hospitality, and cultural tourism sectors. Elliot specifically highlighted the recent inauguration of Sindalah, a luxurious island resort that is part of the ambitious NEOM megacity project championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He expressed confidence that within three years, Sindalah would become a premier holiday destination for visitors from around the globe. “That — if we’re sitting here, God willing, in three years time — will be an extraordinary holiday destination for all manner of people, not just people from Saudi,” Elliot remarked. Additionally, Elliot praised AlUla, a historically significant city adorned with ancient rock carvings, which became accessible to international tourists following the introduction of Saudi Arabia’s first tourist visa system in 2019. He expressed amazement at the rapid transformation of the tourism landscape in the country, stating, “It’s amazing. But we wouldn’t have had any of these conversations three or four years ago; none of it was opened up. So I think everything is changing very fast. The key thing is to make sure that everything is done fastidiously well, not to rush some of those things.” Panelist Brent Montgomery, CEO of Wheelhouse Entertainment and known for producing popular reality television shows, emphasized the potential for growth in the entertainment sector within Saudi Arabia. He noted that the global interconnectedness of content distribution systems, such as Netflix, has created new opportunities for producers to showcase regional narratives on a worldwide scale. Montgomery stated, “I think there’s a lot of opportunity to show and experience this region in non-fiction.” He further elaborated on the immediacy of content reaching audiences today, saying, “It used to be that when many of us TV producers would make a show in one region, it would take two or three years to hit other regions. Now, these programs hit immediately and I think people want to see it in other places.”

The Future Investment Initiative conference serves as a significant platform for discussing advancements and opportunities in various sectors, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Recent developments in the Kingdom’s entertainment and tourism industries reflect its broader Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the economy and boosting international visitation. As Saudi Arabia opens its doors to global tourism and enhances its hospitality sector, the interplay between culture, luxury, and entertainment is set to define the Kingdom’s identity on the world stage. With notable projects like NEOM and key historic sites such as AlUla becoming increasingly accessible, experts are optimistic about the trajectory of the tourism and entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia.

In summary, Saudi Arabia is witnessing a substantial evolution in its entertainment and tourism sectors, facilitated by recent investments and developments. Industry leaders like Ben Elliot and Brent Montgomery recognize the incredible potential for growth and the emergence of new experiences for both local residents and international visitors. The establishment of luxury resorts and the opening of cultural sites underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a prominent destination on the global tourism map, making these changes not only significant for the Kingdom but for the international community as well.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com