Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has announced plans to host more than 5,000 events in 2018.
Saudi Arabia is preparing to host an impressive number of events in 2018: 5,000 shows, festivals, concerts, musicals are planned in the country. The most diverse programming of live entertainment ever seen in Saudi Arabia will target families, youths and children. His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Al Khatib, Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority, said: "The GEA is taking concrete steps to enrich the way of life in all regions of Saudi Arabia. The initiative helps foster "a prosperous economy and a vibrant society in which citizens and residents enjoy a better quality of life." He added that the entertainment sector needed about 267 billion SAR (about 58 billion euros) in investment to develop a solid entertainment structure in the country. Thus, between 2017 and 2030, an investment in the industry is expected to contribute 18 billion SAR (about 3.9 billion euros) per year to Saudi Arabia's GDP, with consumer spending that should reach 36 billion SAR (€ 7.8 billion) by 2030.
