Saudi Arabia’s entertainment authority opens registrations for ‘Happiness Creators’ and unveils investment opportunities

Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has announced the opening of registration for the fourth cohort of its ‘Entertainment Leaders’ and ‘Entertainment Fellowship’ programs, part of the ‘Happiness Creators’ initiative. These programs aim to enhance leadership skills and empower national talents in the entertainment sector.

The Entertainment Leaders program, set to launch in May, focuses on developing leadership capabilities through collaborations with global entities specialising in leadership development. The program includes skill-building workshops, knowledge-sharing, and international visits to exchange experiences with top training organisations. It aims to prepare leaders by strengthening professional networks and introducing global best practices.

The Entertainment Fellowship program, starting in April, targets professionals with at least two years of experience in the entertainment sector. It offers specialised developmental pathways designed to expand skills, build professional networks, and transfer international expertise through visits to global destinations and workshops led by top trainers.

Both programs, which celebrated the graduation of their third cohort last month, cover various domains, including designing entertainment experiences and ensuring operational.

29 investment opportunities
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has also unveiled 29 investment opportunities targeting six key sectors of the industry.

The initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, aims to expand the Kingdom’s entertainment landscape while fostering private sector participation and aligning with Vision 2030 objectives.

The targeted sectors include facilities, destinations, water parks, adventure parks, virtual reality parks, and e-gaming centres.

These opportunities are designed to enhance growth in the entertainment sector, drive economic diversification, and promote sustainable development.

According to the GEA, the initiative also seeks to empower the private sector within Saudi Arabia and internationally, while improving the quality of life for citizens and residents.

By focusing on infrastructure development across these entertainment segments, the initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic commitment to becoming a global entertainment hub. This effort also supports the Quality of Life Program, which is a core pillar of Vision 2030.

These investment initiatives are set to play a significant role in boosting the sector as projections indicate that the sector will generate 450,000 jobs and contribute 4.2% to the country’s gross domestic product by 2030.

Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector by increasing household spending on recreation from 2.9% to 6% by 2030.

It seeks to generate over US31.9 billion) in investments, create 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and enhance the sector’s contribution to the economy.