Saudi Arabia's Entertainment Sector Attracts 76 Million Visitors in 2024
The Riyadh Season alone welcomed more than 19 million visitors in 2025, revolutionizing the Kingdom's entertainment landscape.
Saudi Arabia's entertainment initiatives are increasingly attracting international visitors, strengthening the sector's role as a key component of the country's quality-of-life agenda. The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) leads the sector's development and regulation, offering a wide range of quality experiences.
The growth of the entertainment sector is supporting the national economy by creating job opportunities, boosting local small and medium enterprises, attracting foreign direct investment, and contributing to the gross domestic product.
GEA's efforts have produced record-breaking numbers across various sectors, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global destination for entertainment seekers.
More than 120 million visitors have attended GEA events, which have featured over 100,000 nights of art, sports, and entertainment activities presented by more than 3,700 companies.
Saudi Arabia's investment in entertainment reflects its commitment to enhancing domestic tourism, encouraging citizens to invest their spending locally, and reinforcing economic and social development goals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
16 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Turki Alalshikh Promises Record-breaking Riyadh Season
The General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh has announced that the upcoming Riyadh Season will be 'very different,' with global surprises, top-tier performances, and blockbuster events. In a video posted to his official X account, Alalshikh said the ongoing Esports World Cup, offering more than $70 million in prizes, has already energized Riyadh with momentum that will continue for weeks. Among the biggest highlights is the World Comedy Festival, the largest of its kind, scheduled from September 26 to October 9 at Boulevard Riyadh City. It will feature over 50 world-renowned comedians including Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, Sebastian Maniscalco, Whitney Cummings, Gabriel Iglesias, Bill Burr, and Andrew Schulz. The festival will also host interactive activities, workshops, and daily performances representing various comedic styles. Alalshikh revealed the new Riyadh Season will spotlight Saudi, Gulf, and global content, with a notable presence from Syrian talent in theatre and concerts. He also teased major collaborations including shows with YouTube megastar MrBeast, international concerts, WWE and UFC matches, and the Royal Rumble set for January 2026 in Riyadh. The sports calendar will feature the Six Kings world tennis championship, where six of the sport's top stars will compete for the largest prize pot globally over four days in the capital. Beyond live events, Saudi Arabia is pushing into global film production. Alalshikh confirmed that filming will soon begin on The Battle of Yarmouk: Khalid ibn Al-Walid, an English-language epic with an international cast and crew, comparable in scale to films by Ridley Scott. Two other major projects are underway: one on the Saudi army, and another on anti-narcotics efforts. The military film will be written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot). On the television front, Alalshikh revealed a new reality show being filmed in Scotland, a high-end comedy series starring Saudi actor Nasser Al-Qasabi, and an epic drama titled Abu Al-Muluk: Abdul Malik ibn Marwan, created by writers from Game of Thrones, Vikings, and The Last Kingdom. Another major production, Interpol, is in development alongside a Saudi action-comedy titled The Boulevard, directed by Mohammed Al-Mulla and filmed entirely at Boulevard Riyadh City, inspired by Night at the Museum. Alalshikh also confirmed the return of the hit game show Takeshi's Castle ('Al-Hisn') in a new, world-class version co-produced with its original Japanese creators, airing on MBC and Shahid. 'Riyadh Season will deliver surprises unlike anything seen before,' Alalshikh concluded. 'We are working on content that will truly impress.' Also read: Turkey Commits Military Support To 'New' Post-Assad Syria With Saudis Pledging $4BN In Investment
Gulf Insider
13-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford Riyadh Season Showdown
Two of the biggest names in boxing, Saul Álvarez and Terence Crawford, will face off in Las Vegas on Sept. 13, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh confirmed. The Riyadh Season showdown will be live streamed on Netflix to over 300 million subscribers across the world. 'On September 13, Canelo and Crawford, two legends of boxing, will finally compete against each other in the fight of the century. Alongside Dana White and Sela, we will deliver something truly incredible in Las Vegas for fans around the world to enjoy through Netflix,' Alalshikh said. The boxing champions will stage an international three-city press tour this month, starting in Riyadh on June 20, before heading to the US for stops in New York on June 22 and Las Vegas on June 27. Both boxers expressed their enthusiasm and readiness for the anticipated fight. 'I'm super happy to be making history again and this time on a Riyadh Season Card that will be broadcast on Netflix,' Álvarez said. 'On September 13, I'm ready to show once again that I am the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.' Meanwhile, Crawford said: 'My perfect record speaks for itself. I am the best fighter in the world and no matter the opponent or weight class, I have always come out on top. On September 13, my hand will be raised once again as the world watches greatness.' Also read: Riyadh Warehouse Fined SR112,000 For Counterfeit And Mishandled Drugs
Syyaha
11-05-2025
- Syyaha
The Region's Tourism Boom Fuels Record Growth in eSIM Adoption
● Saudi Arabia saw a 15% increase in international flight bookings through 2024, and the UAE saw a 16% rise in international visitors during the same year ● The MENA eSIM market surged 20% in 2024, driven by rising travel demand, 5G expansion, and increased adoption among outbound GCC travelers The GCC is witnessing an unprecedented tourism surge, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading global travel expansion. According to recent market data, the Kingdom saw a 15% increase in international flight bookings last year compared to 2023, while the Emirates experienced a 16% rise in international visitors during the same period. Ahmed Elfiky, Director of Growth at Airalo, commented: 'Saudi Arabia's push into leisure and entertainment is evident with major events like Riyadh Season and the upcoming 2029 Asian Winter Games. Similarly, the UAE continues to attract and retain visitors with initiatives such as the evolving developments in Dubai's Expo City. These efforts are positioning both countries as premier global tourism hubs. With both countries increasingly drawing millions of visitors, this is fueling demand for seamless digital connectivity.' With multi-billion-dollar tourism investments, record-breaking visitor numbers, and world-class events, reliable mobile connectivity has become a necessity for modern travelers. In fact, in the four years leading up to June 2023, bandwidth consumption in the Middle East grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just over 30%. A key driver behind this spike was the increasing demand of customers on the move, and all indications point to this trend continuing for the foreseeable future with digital advancements enabling the potential for mobility at an unprecedented rate. Building on this momentum, the Middle East's tourism and travel sector witnessed remarkable growth in 2024. Saudi Arabia welcomed over 100 million visitors, surpassing its Vision 2030 target six years ahead of schedule, while Dubai attracted over 17 million international travelers, reinforcing its status as a global travel hub. At the same time, the region's commitment to sustainable tourism is evident, with Saudi Arabia investing over $500 billion in developing world-class destinations. As the world's first and largest eSIM marketplace, Airalo has recorded a sharp increase in eSIM activations across the region, driven by the demand for instant, cost-effective, and hassle-free connectivity. This trend aligns with the 20% growth of the eSIM market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2024, reflecting the region's digital transformation and the surge in GCC travelers using eSIMs for seamless connectivity across top destinations in Europe, the US, and Asia. Airalo eSIMs offer instant activation, flexible data plans, and seamless global connectivity, eliminating the need for physical SIM swaps or costly roaming fees. As tourism in the GCC continues to soar, more travelers are embracing eSIM technology for instant, borderless, and hassle-free connectivity—ensuring they stay connected wherever their journey takes them.
