Ashraf AboArafe
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become an important figure in the equation of tourism and entertainment in the Middle East, thanks to the ambitious plan that is being worked on to develop existing tourist destinations and create more of them, and benefit from the strategic location that the Kingdom enjoys and its exceptional view of the coasts of the Red Sea, with its picturesque islands and unparalleled aquatic life. Worldwide.
According to Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to reach the number of annual tourist visits to about one hundred million tourists by 2030, which will provide about one million new job opportunities for Saudi youth and contribute about 10% of the Kingdom’s gross domestic product.
In order to achieve this goal, the Kingdom is accelerating the implementation of projects and initiatives aimed at launching tourist destinations of geographical and historical diversity, highlighting natural resources, archaeological treasures and heritage places that meet the aspirations of tourists.
The authorities concerned with the tourism and entertainment file have succeeded in making the Kingdom a magnet for leisure, heritage and cultural tourism in the Middle East, and placed it on the global tourism map, by hosting international sporting events for the first time in the Arab region, in parallel with the cultural and artistic movement that the General Entertainment Authority succeeded in establishing.
This report sheds light on the most important events and tourist and entertainment destinations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Seasons
The Kingdom announced the launch of the “Saudi Seasons” in 2019, which are events and celebrations throughout the year that are held annually in seasons in various regions of the Kingdom. The Saudi seasons are divided into 11 seasons, including the following: Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, Eastern Season, Taif Season, Season Al-Soudah, the National Day season, the Diriyah season, the Al-Ula season, the Hail season, the Ramadan season, and then the Eid Al-Fitr season.
The Saudi Seasons have succeeded in attracting millions of visitors, as the events of each season include more than 7,500 event days, about 10 international exhibitions, more than 350 theatrical performances, in addition to an international car exhibition and auction, more than 70 cafes, 200 restaurants, and an electronic games tournament. And more than 100 interactive experiences.
Archeology tourism
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia abounds in a number of historical archaeological sites that indicate the ancientness and nobility of this region, which tells the most wonderful stories through the different historical eras, as the Kingdom possesses a deep-rooted cultural heritage that extends from the ancient stone ages through the historical and Islamic eras, in addition to the most beautiful and prosperous cultural and urban areas. It is represented by palaces, forts, ancient military and religious installations, archaeological collections, and the most wonderful paintings and inscriptions that the ancients created in a number of areas scattered throughout the Kingdom, such as Mada’in Saleh, which is located in Al-Ula Governorate, and occupies a strategic location on the road that connects the south of the Arabian Peninsula with Mesopotamia, the Levant and Egypt. And the ancient city of Diriyah, which is located in the northwest of Riyadh and is one of the most important heritage destinations recognized by UNESCO.
As for the historical city of Jeddah, its visitors can enjoy the heritage buildings of the distinctive urban style of the Red Sea basin, as the city includes a number of important monuments and archaeological and heritage buildings, most notably the historical mosques with a unique architectural style.
Natural attractions
From the open desert with its dunes and valleys to the clear sky adorned with stars like lamps, to the mountain heights that boast of plants, flowers, valleys and springs, to the sea beaches and islands strewn like pearls; Nature in the Kingdom is rich in many natural attractions represented by springs and permanent and seasonal springs spread in a number of regions of the Kingdom. It is considered a source of drinking and agricultural water, and it brings visitors to enjoy seeing its flowing waters, and the surrounding natural rocky and vegetation environment, and some find in it an opportunity for swimming and recreation, in addition to For treatment in hot springs that have natural physical and chemical properties. Among the most famous of them are Ain Samha, Ain Umm Kheesa, Ain Khafs Daghra, Ain Farzan, and Ain Al Dhale’a located in the southwest of Al-Sih. It is a distinct agricultural method that is only found in desert areas, the most famous of which is Al-Ahsa Oasis.
Natural Reserves
The Kingdom has chosen certain areas with natural characteristics to be natural reserves for the protection and development of wild plants and animals, and has established research centers concerned with wildlife. A large number of other natural reserves. Among the most famous are: Bereen Oasis and Al-Hasso Oasis.
beaches and islands
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes a large number of islands, numbering 1,300 islands, including 1,150 islands in the Red Sea, and 150 islands in the Arabian Gulf. These islands and beaches have imaginative tourist attractions. They are islands of coral, sandy, continental, and volcanic origins. The edges of the beaches are embroidered with soft sand, mountain highlands, and plant communities, in addition to their diverse coral reefs, which qualifies them to be a tourist destination for fishing, diving, and recreation in most seasons of the year. . Among the most famous are: Abu Ali Island, Harqous Island, Tarut Island, Amna Island, Farasan Islands, and Sajid Island (Al-Saqeed).
Saudi Entertainment Authority activities
The General Entertainment Authority aims to “develop and regulate the entertainment sector, through cooperation with various government agencies.”
