Friday, Jul 08, 2011
Gulf News
Riyadh The volume of Saudi Arabia’s spending on recreation exceeded 6 billion Saudi riyals (Dh5.87 billion) in 2009. This figure represents 9.5 per cent of total spending on tourism, according to a recent study.
The increase in spending on recreation and fun cities was mainly attributed to the younger generation.
Children under the age of 14 make up more than 32 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s population, the study, prepared by the Information wing of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed out.
The volume of spending on tourism reached 65.4 billion riyals in 2009. Of this, spending on recreation represented 9.5 per cent (6.2 billion riyals).
Spending on domestic tourism stood at 35.3 billion riyals (39 per cent) while that on foreign tourism stood at 30.1 billion riyals (33.2 per cent). The study noted that there are 35,200 people working in the kingdom’s recreation sector. This constitutes 7.1 per cent of the total workforce in the vital tourism sector. About 48 per cent of tourism facilities are owned by joint stock companies while 21 per cent possessed by individuals. This shows that this sector is mainly dominated by a couple of investors. A number of companies, with a capital investment of over 15 billion riyals, own about 51 per cent of recreational facilities and fun cities in various regions of the kingdom.
Major problems
According to the study, the major problems faced by owners of fun cities include increases in the prices of recreational facilities, toys, spare parts and hikes in the charges relating to periodic inspections.
The study underlined the need to classify the recreational facilities and fun cities on the basis of the services extended by them and the activities undertaken by them in the pattern of hotels. It also called for an improvement of the investment environment in this vital sector through partnership and cooperation between major international and local recreation companies.
“This would make possible [the] introduction of high tech technology, in addition to [creating] job opportunities for a large number of Saudi jobseekers,” the study noted..
By Abdul Nabi Shaheen?Correspondent
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
