---
title: Saudi Entertainment & Tourism Technology
type: technology
url: "https://www.envisioning.com/research/polis/gulf-states__saudi-entertainment-tech"
hub: polis
summary: "Saudi Arabia is deploying advanced entertainment technology across mega-venues including Qiddiya's Six Flags theme park, AlUla heritage digitization, and Jeddah's e-sports arena."
---

# Saudi Entertainment & Tourism Technology

Saudi Arabia is deploying advanced entertainment technology across mega-venues including Qiddiya's Six Flags theme park, AlUla heritage digitization, and Jeddah's e-sports arena.
- Technology Readiness Level: 6/9
- Impact: 2/5
- Investment: 4/5
Saudi Arabia's entertainment sector, essentially non-existent before 2019, is being built from scratch with the latest technology. Qiddiya, a $8 billion entertainment city near Riyadh, will feature the world's tallest roller coaster and advanced ride simulation technology. AlUla, the ancient Nabataean heritage site, is being preserved and presented using AR/VR experiences and digital twin technology. Purpose-built e-sports arenas in Jeddah and Riyadh host international gaming tournaments.

This technology deployment serves Vision 2030's quality-of-life goals: keeping Saudi entertainment spending domestic (previously, Saudis spent billions annually on tourism to Dubai and Europe) while creating a new economic sector. The entertainment industry generates technology jobs in content creation, AR/VR development, and event management.

The entertainment technology sector also serves as a soft power vehicle, attracting international visitors and changing perceptions of Saudi Arabia. The technical infrastructure — high-bandwidth connectivity, advanced AV systems, AI-driven crowd management — being deployed in entertainment venues creates capabilities applicable to smart city management more broadly.

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Source: Envisioning — Technology Research Institute (https://www.envisioning.com/research/polis/gulf-states__saudi-entertainment-tech)