Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Positions the Kingdom as a Global Entertainment and Theme Park Hub
Ambitious infrastructure, tourism and leisure investments under Vision 2030 make Saudi Arabia an increasingly attractive destination for major global theme parks and entertainment brands
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy is transforming the kingdom into a global hub for tourism, leisure and entertainment, laying the strategic foundation for potential expansion by leading international theme park operators, including a possible Universal Studios presence.
At the core of Vision 2030 are three interconnected pillars — a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation — with a clear emphasis on diversifying the economy beyond oil, boosting cultural and recreational offerings and attracting international visitors and investment.
These reforms are part of a comprehensive plan that has already delivered major gains in non-oil sectors and continues to expand new areas of economic growth that align with global entertainment trends.
Vision 2030’s progress has been guided by careful planning and significant reform initiatives aimed at sustainable, long-term development.
In recent years, the kingdom has rapidly built an entertainment ecosystem that includes world-class destinations and planned theme park megaprojects.
Projects under construction such as Six Flags Qiddiya City — part of the larger Qiddiya megaproject — exemplify Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify leisure offerings and position itself alongside established global tourism markets.
Set to open at the end of 2025, Six Flags Qiddiya City will feature dozens of rides, water attractions and one of the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to shape a destination capable of drawing millions of visitors annually.
Beyond Qiddiya, the kingdom’s entertainment landscape already includes temporary and seasonal attractions such as Beast Land in Riyadh, which has drawn large crowds and demonstrated local demand for immersive amusement experiences.
Other developments — including Boulevard World in Riyadh — contribute to a broader leisure portfolio that supports domestic and international tourism.
These developments are supported by public and private investment, with multi-billion-dollar plans underway to build additional parks, entertainment complexes and cultural attractions across the country, extending from major urban centres to tourism-focused regions.
Industry analysis suggests that Saudi Arabia’s demographic profile — with a young population and growing interest in entertainment — complements the strategic incentives of Vision 2030, creating a fertile environment for partnerships with global entertainment brands.
The kingdom’s drive to capture a share of the global theme park market aligns with broader trends in the sector, which is forecast to expand significantly over the next decade.
With continued improvements in infrastructure, regulatory support for foreign investment, and evolving consumer preferences, Saudi Arabia stands to strengthen its credentials as a global entertainment destination capable of hosting major theme park expansions, including potential ventures by Universal Studios and similar operators.
At the core of Vision 2030 are three interconnected pillars — a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation — with a clear emphasis on diversifying the economy beyond oil, boosting cultural and recreational offerings and attracting international visitors and investment.
These reforms are part of a comprehensive plan that has already delivered major gains in non-oil sectors and continues to expand new areas of economic growth that align with global entertainment trends.
Vision 2030’s progress has been guided by careful planning and significant reform initiatives aimed at sustainable, long-term development.
In recent years, the kingdom has rapidly built an entertainment ecosystem that includes world-class destinations and planned theme park megaprojects.
Projects under construction such as Six Flags Qiddiya City — part of the larger Qiddiya megaproject — exemplify Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify leisure offerings and position itself alongside established global tourism markets.
Set to open at the end of 2025, Six Flags Qiddiya City will feature dozens of rides, water attractions and one of the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to shape a destination capable of drawing millions of visitors annually.
Beyond Qiddiya, the kingdom’s entertainment landscape already includes temporary and seasonal attractions such as Beast Land in Riyadh, which has drawn large crowds and demonstrated local demand for immersive amusement experiences.
Other developments — including Boulevard World in Riyadh — contribute to a broader leisure portfolio that supports domestic and international tourism.
These developments are supported by public and private investment, with multi-billion-dollar plans underway to build additional parks, entertainment complexes and cultural attractions across the country, extending from major urban centres to tourism-focused regions.
Industry analysis suggests that Saudi Arabia’s demographic profile — with a young population and growing interest in entertainment — complements the strategic incentives of Vision 2030, creating a fertile environment for partnerships with global entertainment brands.
The kingdom’s drive to capture a share of the global theme park market aligns with broader trends in the sector, which is forecast to expand significantly over the next decade.
With continued improvements in infrastructure, regulatory support for foreign investment, and evolving consumer preferences, Saudi Arabia stands to strengthen its credentials as a global entertainment destination capable of hosting major theme park expansions, including potential ventures by Universal Studios and similar operators.
