Six Flags’ entry welcomed

JEDDAH: Saudis have welcomed the decision of US theme park giant Six Flags to invest in the Kingdom after a meeting between Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the executive president for the Six Flags group.

Member of the National Tourism Committee in the Saudi Council of Chambers, Abdulghani Al-Ansari, said Six Flags is one of the biggest companies in the entertainment field in the world. Cooperating with such a company is an excellent step, since entertainment is no longer a luxury, but has become a necessity because of its importance in creating many job opportunities for young men and women.
He said it's important for national tourism committees, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, and the Saudi Authority for Entertainment to cooperate and devise ways to develop this sector. He expected this agreement to encourage other foreign investors to work in the field of entertainment which will in turn attract internal investors to the entertainment sector.
Member of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mahmoud Rashwan pointed out that Saudi families spend no less than SR10 billion on tourism and entertainment outside the Kingdom.
So investing in entertainment is a good idea. He added that Saudi Arabia needs family entertainment which is among the most profitable form of investment since Saudi families want and need it.
Twitter users meanwhile speculated on the company's selection of sites for their theme parks in the Kingdom. One recommended Baha for its climate while another argued for Jeddah for its coastline.
Economist Abdullah Rubaian hoped entertainment cities, resorts and markets would be establisjed along coastlines, far away from big cities.
Obaid Alabdali said the permission to allow Six Flags is about “happiness marketing.”
Writer Khaled Alamar said such agreements are an exception to the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.
Six Flags is 55 years old and one of the biggest companies in the United States in terms of space and profits.