Saudi Theme Parks: One In Five KSA Residents Choose Theme Parks As Go-to Leisure Destination, Study Finds
According to a recent report by YouGov, visiting theme parks has become one of the most popular leisure activities for Saudi residents, with one in five reporting they regularly spend their free time at such attractions.
This demand comes amid significant transformation in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment and leisure sector, reflecting the kingdom’s broader efforts to improve the quality of life for residents and boost tourism in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.
The data reveals a preference for local theme parks among 59 percent of respondents, yet a considerable portion, 60 percent, are willing to travel far distances to experience new attractions.
From the surveyed respondents, on-site dining is an important part of the theme park experience. Nearly 70 percent of visitors agreed that theme parks must have high-quality food services.
Al Baik tops the list as the preferred restaurant among KSA theme park visitors, with 61 percent naming it as their top dining choice. Other popular options include McDonald’s, chosen by 43 percent, along with KFC, Starbucks and Al Tazaj, each preferred by over 30 percent of respondents.
The primary source of what visitors spend on for amusement parks include ticket sales, merchandise, food and beverages and other related offerings. Nearly half the respondents said that they would visit the gift shop when visiting the theme park.
Consumer spending at theme parks and related destinations in the MENA region is projected to grow at an annual rate of 10.9 percent, according to a report by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).
While the outlook for consumer spending at theme parks looks strong, nearly 60 percent of the Saudi respondents agreed that entry and tickets to attractions are too expensive in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector is one of the fastest growing in the region, expanding at an 8.9% CAGR through 2030, according to Renub Research report.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority issued licenses for more than 24 theme parks and 421 entertainment centers to diversify and boost tourism as outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030.
Most recently, it was announced that the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park will be built in Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia, according to an official announcement on Friday last week.
As leisure options rapidly increase, theme parks are becoming a popular destinations for residents looking for entertaining leisure options close to home or across the region.
