As an indicator of the quality of entertainment content and the increasing interest from both domestic and international visitors, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced the total number of visitors to events and recreational activities during the past year, 2023. The number of visitors exceeded 72 million, representing a 17% increase compared to 2022. Additionally, the number of licenses issued surpassed 6,000, covering 117 cities.
In a statement released today (Sunday), the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) stated that the number of approved events reached 5,406, encompassing various types of entertainment events, shows, and live performances in restaurants and cafes. Furthermore, licenses were granted to 230 entertainment destinations, reflecting a 46% increase compared to 2022.
In terms of sector growth in the number of operating companies, there was a significant increase of 150% from 3,544 companies in 2022 to 8,873 companies last year. Additionally, the number of specialized establishments in the entertainment sector saw a 149% increase compared to 2022, rising from 1,687 establishments to 4,159 establishments in the past year.
At the supervisory level, to ensure the quality of events, the number of supervisory visits increased by 250%, reaching approximately 50,000 field and digital visits. These visits resulted in the identification of 6,728 violations. The Riyadh region had the highest number of violations, followed by Makkah and the Eastern region, while the Al-Jouf and Northern Borders regions recorded the lowest number of violations.
The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), represented by the Regulatory Affairs sector, has achieved several accomplishments and initiatives that contribute to performance quality, reflecting the overall growth and development of the sector. This includes updating systems, regulations, standards, requirements, and controls for entertainment activities. Additionally, the licensing regulations, violations and penalties list, and the operational model for the Regulatory Affairs sector have been developed.
The GEA also introduced and enhanced various services through the electronic entertainment gateway, along with streamlining procedures to facilitate the licensing process. Furthermore, alignment with 50 government entities was achieved, including the completion of regulatory integration with the Ministry of Commerce.