In a country where public spending and national priorities are under constant scrutiny, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has raised eyebrows with a staggering $4 billion expenditure on the “Kingdom Tour 2024” summer entertainment festival. This extravagant spending on concerts, films, and theatrical performances has sparked widespread criticism, both domestically and internationally, as many question the prince’s approach to managing the kingdom’s wealth.
The “Kingdom Tour 2024” festival is a massive entertainment event featuring performances by a range of Saudi, Arab, and international artists. It includes concerts, dance shows, film screenings, and theatrical productions. The cost of the festival, estimated at $4 billion, is seen by many as an excessive use of public funds, especially in a country facing significant economic challenges.
Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of the General Entertainment Authority, has been at the forefront of promoting these events. According to reports, Al-Sheikh has even pressured Saudi television channels to broadcast the festival’s events live without any financial compensation. This move, critics argue, reflects the government’s heavy-handed approach to promoting entertainment at the expense of other pressing issues.
The lavish spending on entertainment is not limited to the “Kingdom Tour 2024.” Earlier reports indicate that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spent over $10 million to bring in 200 artists for performances in Riyadh over a span of just three days. The government has also been heavily involved in promoting new cultural events, such as the “Middle Beast” festival in Riyadh and the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. These events have been part of a broader effort by the crown prince to create what has been described as a “new cultural revolution” in Saudi Arabia.
Critics argue that these entertainment initiatives are part of a larger strategy by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to improve his international image and distract from domestic issues. The crown prince has been keen to project a modern, progressive image of Saudi Arabia to the world, investing billions in Hollywood, launching a new golf league, and pouring money into the video game industry. The Saudi government has also offered generous incentives to filmmakers and studios that choose to shoot in the kingdom, with the cabinet allocating 879 million Saudi Riyals to fund cinematic projects.
While these investments are aimed at transforming Saudi Arabia into a global entertainment hub, many question whether this is the best use of public funds. Critics argue that the billions being spent on entertainment could be better invested in addressing the country’s economic challenges, improving public services, or creating job opportunities for the Saudi youth.
The debate over the crown prince’s entertainment spending highlights the broader issue of financial accountability in Saudi Arabia. As the government continues to pour vast sums into entertainment and cultural initiatives, there is growing concern about the lack of oversight and the potential long-term impact on the kingdom’s economy.
As Saudi Arabia embarks on its ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on oil, the crown prince’s extravagant spending on entertainment raises questions about the kingdom’s true priorities. While these events may help to reshape the country’s image on the global stage, they also risk deepening the divide between the government’s vision and the needs of its people.
