Saudi Arabia has created a vibrant ecosystem under its Vision 2030 where creativity, technology, and culture converge. Among the sectors leading this transformation, media and tourism stand out as powerful engines of diversification and growth.
As the KSA opens its doors wider to international investors, these industries are not only reshaping its cultural landscape but also redefining how foreign businesses can engage with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
1. A Snapshot of Saudi Arabia’s Media Evolution
The Saudi media industry is emerging as a regional powerhouse, commanding a 30% market share across the MENA. Valued at around SAR 17.4 billion, the sector encompasses everything from digital content and broadcasting to gaming, esports, and live entertainment.
Gaming and esports, in particular, have become the crown jewels of this expansion. Saudi Arabia’s gaming market ranks among the fastest-growing globally, with ambitious plans to transform the Kingdom into a hub for digital entertainment production.
The government’s focus on creative industries has led to the development of new licensing frameworks, and funding for content creators, setting the stage for both local and international firms for a compliant business setup in Saudi Arabia.
2. Gaming: Saudi Arabia’s New Global Magnet for Tourism and Innovation
One of the most striking examples of media’s growing influence is the Esports World Cup, held in Riyadh’s Boulevard City. The event attracted around three million visitors in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s attendance and signaling the massive potential of Saudi Arabia’s gaming and events industry.
The esports boom has become a magnet for tourists, investors, and technology providers. The upcoming Esports Olympics in 2027 will further strengthen this connection, drawing global attention to Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for competitive gaming and digital entertainment.
Saudi Arabia is also home to the region’s first “AAA” game development project, signaling a major leap in local production capabilities.
3. How Does Media Fuel Tourism and Cultural Engagement in Saudi Arabia?
The synergy between the media and tourism sectors is reshaping Saudi Arabia’s global image. With every new film festival, esports event, and cultural celebration, the Kingdom attracts visitors eager to experience its evolving entertainment landscape.
Events like Riyadh Season are driving record tourism numbers. These large-scale experiences have turned cities like Riyadh and Jeddah into year-round attractions, boosting hotel occupancy rates, retail activity, and dining experiences.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism milestones are equally impressive. The Kingdom reached its Vision 2030 target of 100 million tourists seven years ahead of schedule in 2023. With this early achievement, the government has now set a new target: attracting over 150 million tourists by 2030.
Mega-events such as the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM and the FIFA World Cup 2034 will act as major catalysts for achieving this goal, creating a wealth of opportunities for company formation in the KSA across infrastructure, hospitality, and digital engagement sectors. event production, digital content, gaming, and tourism services
4. New Frontiers for Foreign Businesses in Saudi Arabia
For foreign companies, Saudi Arabia’s intertwined growth of media and tourism represents a unique chance to enter a market in transformation. Some of the most promising avenues include:
- Event Production and Technical Services: With the rise of large-scale festivals and live performances, demand for professional event engineering, rigging, lighting, and audiovisual solutions is soaring.
- Digital Content and Streaming: Expanding digital infrastructure and youth-driven demand for online content create a fertile ground for international media and streaming companies.
- Gaming and Esports Investment: From localizing games to building esports arenas and training academies, foreign gaming companies can benefit from direct partnerships and incentives.
- Tourism Services and Hospitality: The increase in visitor numbers calls for new hotels, resorts, theme parks, and destination management companies.
5. The SEVEN Initiative: A New Era Tof Entertainment Infrastructure
Driving much of this expansion is Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a government-backed initiative under the Public Investment Fund (PIF). With a total investment of $13 billion, SEVEN aims to develop 21 entertainment destinations across 14 cities, creating a dynamic entertainment ecosystem.
These destinations will include cinemas, theme parks, family entertainment centers, and more than 150 new recreational areas. Among its flagship projects is a $347.8 million tourism complex in Asir, covering 79,000 square meters and designed to reflect the region’s urban identity.
This project alone is set to generate significant local and international interest, blending culture with leisure in a way that appeals to global travelers. Other initiatives, such as the partnership between MISA, GEA, and Nawaar Entertainment, focus on building aquatic and amusement parks, with the first to open in Riyadh in 2025.
6. Why Now Is the Time for Foreign Investors in Saudi Arabia?
Several factors make Saudi Arabia particularly attractive for foreign firms in 2025 and beyond, and here are the major ones.
- Favorable Investment Policies: The Ministry of Investment (MISA) continues to streamline licensing and ownership regulations, allowing full foreign ownership in many sectors.
- Goverzment Incentives: Vision 2030 initiatives offer financial incentives, tax benefits, and grants to encourage foreign participation in key industries.
- Infrastructure Readiness: Mega-projects like NEOM, Diriyah, and the Red Sea Global are opening new spaces for tourism, media production, and hospitality investment.
- Youth Demographics: Over 60% of Saudi Arabia’s population is under 35, driving demand for digital entertainment, esports, and experiential travel.
- Technology Integration: The rise of AI, AR, and immersive experiences in media and tourism presents vast opportunities for tech-driven partnerships.
7. The Road Ahead: Global Partnerships and Sustainable Growth
As the Saudi entertainment landscape matures, collaboration will be the defining theme. The government’s partnerships with global entertainment and media firms highlight its long-term commitment to building a sustainable creative economy.
This momentum also extends to the tourism industry, where new regulations are making travel more accessible through e-visas, streamlined entry processes, and improved international connectivity.
Investing in the Heart of Saudi Arabia’s Creative Renaissance
Saudi Arabia’s media and tourism sectors have become central to the KSA’s new economic identity. As these industries continue to merge through shared innovation, events, and experiences, they are creating a dynamic investment environment via business setup in Saudi Arabia.
For foreign investors, the time to act is now. Whether in event production, hospitality, gaming, or media content creation, the Saudi market offers fertile ground for those ready to grow alongside the Kingdom’s transformation.
Ibtasam Aziz, Business Setup Consultant info@nimbusconsultancy.com