Talent and technology driving growth of Saudi Arabian theme parks

January 2, 2025

Driven by its Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy and boost tourism, Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a hub for theme park development.

Theme parks planned for giga-projects at Qiddiya near the capital of Riyadh and NEOM on the Red Sea along with Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) projects across the Kingdom are currently moving forward, with the entertainment city within Qiddiya set to include the region’s first Six Flags theme park and Aquarabia Waterpark, home to record-breaking rides and innovative experiences.

Financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is driving the development of what is intended to be the Kingdom's capital of entertainment, sports and the arts.

Alec Fitout, a regional fit-out company actively involved in many of these projects, describes the developments as a pivotal moment for the Kingdom, noting “we’re witnessing an unprecedented level of scale and diversity.”

Alexis Bayle, Alec Fitout’s Country Manager believes that “globally recognised brands like Six Flags and Dragon Ball will draw huge numbers of dedicated fans and thrill-seekers, while homegrown experiences like Aquarabia will offer a global audience a taste of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.”

Noting the impact this is having on the Kingdom’s construction talent pool, Bayle explained “Saudi Arabia is currently one of the world’s most active markets for theme park development, and so significant investments are being made to bring the best global talent to the country.

“This is a landmark moment for the industry, providing young Saudi professionals with an unmissable opportunity to build their networks and gain exposure to international best practices.”

One of a number of international organisations actively working to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in this booming sector, Alec Fitout recently launched its AHLAN program, offering focused business and technical training, workshops and mentorship during a month-long onboarding process - rapidly enhancing the professional skills of Saudi nationals who join the company.

The momentum behind the theming industry is also advancing collaborative processes in Saudi Arabia’s construction market.

As Roberto Callerame, Art Production Manager at Alec Fitout, notes “few industries match the complexities of meeting the needs of so many stakeholders - from the aesthetic vision of designers to the service requirements of maintenance teams, and of course, the comfort and experience of visitors.”

With Alec Fitout having been a long-standing advocate of digitalisation, Callerame sees that advanced technologies are crucial to balancing these demands, adding “digital tools are essential. We use them to ensure precise documentation and change management, simulate complex structures, and guarantee the structural integrity and safety of projects we develop.”

Alaa AlSaidi, Senior Project Manager at Alec Fitout, also advised that new construction solutions are also being developed, going on to state “structures like rollercoaster tracks and man-made mountains are fundamentally different from typical buildings. We are proud to see local companies rise to the challenge, and have been working with them to create entirely new product categories to meet the unique specifications of these projects.”

With theming being a highly lucrative industry, dominated by concentrated pools of providers, the expertise and production capabilities now being developed in Saudi Arabia are set position the Kingdom as a significant player in this field.

AlSaidi concluded “the facilities we’ve built locally, along with the Saudi professionals we’ve onboarded and trained, will not only help make Saudi Arabia’s theme parks a reality.

“These investments will stand the test of time, feeding back into the local economy as more theme park projects around the world look to Saudi Arabia for expertise and support.”

Images: Concept for Six Flags Qiddiya (top), Alec Fitout’s Alexis Bayle (middle) and the concept for Qiddiya's waterpark (below).

31st December 2024 - MENALAC reflects on 2024 highlights and spotlights plans for 2025

24th September 2024 - WhiteWater helps Saudi Arabia with its 2030 tourism vision

10th July 2024 - MENALAC announces new leadership team and future objectives

9th May 2024 - Singapore architectural firm secures tender to illuminate Six Flags Qiddiya theme park

9th May 2024 - MENALAC highlights importance of safety for Saudi Arabia’s leisure & entertainment industry

30th April 2024 - Legacy Entertainment to make debut at Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo

1st April 2024 - YouGov study finds one in five Saudi Arabian residents choose theme parks as their preferred leisure destination

8th January 2024 - Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya mega-project gets relaunch with emphasis on sport and tourism

15th December 2023 - Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya mega-project to include world’s first gaming and esport district

17th October 2023 - Saudi Arabia’s NEOM adds to its sustainable tourism destinations

26th September 2023 - EpicSurf to bring real surfing indoors for first time in Saudi Arabia

17th July 2023 - Merlin Entertainments Chief Executive looks at opportunities in Saudi Arabia

12th May 2023 - Hasbro and SEVEN launch Transformers-themed indoor entertainment centres in Saudi Arabia

6th February 2023 - Entertainment industry workforce among topics at IAAPA inaugural Middle East Trade Summit

26th January 2023 - Saudi Entertainment Ventures starts building new entertainment destination

4th March 2022 - Innovative technologies to drive mountain tourism destination in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM ‘future city’

26th February 2022 - Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya awards contract for Middle East’s largest waterpark

15th December 2021 - US$1 billion construction contract agreed for Six Flags Qiddiya theme park in Saudi Arabia

31st August 2021 - Report shows Saudi Arabia attracting US$1 trillion in infrastructure and mega-projects

30th September 2020 - Women-only waterpark opened in Saudi Arabia

8th August 2019 - Qiddiya giga-project reveals new masterplan video

6th April 2018 - Six Flags announces plans for first Saudi Arabia theme park to open by 2022

10th December 2017 - Dubai Parks and Zayed University encourage young Emiratis to consider leisure industry careers

11th October 2017 - Saudi Arabia reveals US$2.7 billion plan to expand entertainment sector

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.