Ben Elliot and Brent Montgomery discussed the rapid expansion of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment and tourism industries during the Future Investment Initiative conference. Elliot highlighted new hospitality developments, like Sindalah and AlUla, while Montgomery emphasized the growing potential for content creation in the region. Both leaders expressed optimism about Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a global destination for leisure and cultural experiences.
During the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, industry leader Ben Elliot highlighted the burgeoning entertainment and tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia, describing it as experiencing an “avalanche” of new opportunities within this domain. Elliot, the founder of the luxury services company Quintessentially, emphasized that developments in dining, hospitality, and cultural tourism have expanded entertainment options for both Saudi citizens and international visitors alike. He pointed to Sindalah, a luxury island resort that recently launched as a key feature of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s NEOM megacity project, as a notable example of the Kingdom’s new hospitality offerings. Elliot expressed optimism about the future, stating, “If we’re sitting here, God willing, in three years’ time — that will be an extraordinary holiday destination for all manner of people, not just people from Saudi.” Elliot also commended AlUla, a historical site known for its stunning rock carvings and ancient dwellings, which has become increasingly accessible to international tourists following the introduction of Saudi Arabia’s tourist visa system in 2019. He remarked, “It’s amazing. But we wouldn’t have had any of these conversations three or four years ago; none of it was opened up. So I think everything is changing very fast. The key thing is to make sure that everything is done fastidiously well, not to rush some of those things.” Fellow panelist Brent Montgomery, CEO of Wheelhouse Entertainment and renowned television producer, echoed this sentiment, identifying significant opportunities for the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia. He discussed the global demand for diverse content and how platforms such as Netflix have fostered a new environment for creators around the world. Montgomery stated, “I think there’s a lot of opportunity to show and experience this region in non-fiction,” reinforcing the potential for regional stories to reach a worldwide audience in a timely manner. He further elaborated on the rapid pace at which content now travels across borders, noting the shift from delayed releases in different regions to immediate global availability. The discussions at the conference underscored the dynamic transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia’s attempt to redefine its cultural and entertainment landscape, with the government actively encouraging tourism and global content creation.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing significant transformation within its entertainment and tourism sectors, driven by ambitious initiatives from the government to diversify its economy and enhance its global presence. The Future Investment Initiative conference, held in Riyadh, showcased the opportunities arising from recent developments in hospitality, tourism, and content creation. Industry leaders, such as Ben Elliot and Brent Montgomery, are recognizing the rapid growth and potential of Saudi Arabia as a compelling destination for both leisure and cultural experiences, aimed at both local residents and international visitors.
In conclusion, the Future Investment Initiative highlights the profound changes in the entertainment and tourism sectors in Saudi Arabia, as described by industry leaders Ben Elliot and Brent Montgomery. Their insights reflect a future where Saudi Arabia is poised to become a premier global destination for diverse cultural and recreational experiences. The focus on high-quality development and storytelling presents vast opportunities for creating a vibrant, interconnected landscape that appeals to various audiences.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
