U.S. Theme Park Company, Six Flags Entertainment Corp plans to expand to Saudi Arabia, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said on Monday.
This would see the company bringing roller coasters and bumper cars to the ultra-conservative kingdom.
He said it was a great honour to bring Six Flags to the kingdom, “our parks can provide the entertainment to which Saudis aspire,” CEO John Duffey said.
However, the chief executive didn’t elaborate on the terms of the partnership.
Duffey spoke at a meeting with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who visited the United States to promote a reform plan to wean the kingdom away from oil revenue.
The powerful royal, who also heads the country’s economic council, expressed the hope that the so-called “Vision 2030” initiative would jumpstart the private sector, provide jobs for a growing population and improve Saudis’ cloistered lifestyles.
The 2030 plan which was introduced in April, considers culture and entertainment indispensable to the quality of life.
“However, we are well aware that the cultural and entertainment opportunities currently available do not reflect the rising aspirations of our citizens and residents,’’ Salman said.
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Salman’s reform plans flirt with social change in a country where women are barred from driving, cinemas are banned and women’s sports are discouraged from promoting sin.
It is untold if the company will tailor its rides, which include water slides, to the social codes of Saudi public space gender segregation and patrolled by state-sponsorsored Islamic morality enforcers.
Six Flags operates approximately 20 Theme and Water Parks in North America and signed an agreement with a private Ho Chi Minh City based company in March to open two parks in Vietnam.
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are encouraging the development of theme parks to help boost foreign tourist arrivals as oil prices slump, causing an economic slowdown in the region. (REUTER/NAN)
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