Saudi Entertainment Ventures unveils $346m destination in Jazan region

The Jazan region is seeing a surge in development, with a project pipeline currently containing 47 projects with a combined construction cost exceeding SR3 billion. SPA
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Updated 17 December 2024
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Saudi Entertainment Ventures unveils $346m destination in Jazan region

  • Development supports SEVEN’s goal to expand entertainment offerings across the Kingdom
  • Global architecture firm Gensler will design the project

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region is set to host a new SR1.3 billion ($346 million) entertainment destination, with Saudi Entertainment Ventures, or SEVEN, awarding the project’s development contract to Alfanar Projects. 

The project, covering 60,000 sq. meters of land and 73,000 sq. meters of built-up space, will be located near the North Corniche Park along Jazan’s waterfront, offering easy access for locals and visitors from nearby regions, according to a press release. 

The development supports SEVEN’s goal to expand entertainment offerings across Saudi Arabia, contributing to Vision 2030. It also aligns with the Jazan Municipality’s growing investment portfolio, valued at SR4 billion. 

Abdullah Nasser Al-Dawood, the chairman of SEVEN, said: “We are excited to unveil SEVEN’s new entertainment destination in Jazan, reflecting our ongoing commitment to enriching the Kingdom’s entertainment offering and enhancing the quality of life for communities across Saudi Arabia.”  

He added: “This destination celebrates the natural diversity and rich cultural heritage of the Jazan region, providing exceptional leisure experiences for residents and visitors alike.”  

The venue will feature attractions such as an indoor golf course, an entertainment district with rides, a cinema complex, a karting track, an indoor adventure center, as well as various dining and retail outlets. 

Global architecture firm Gensler will design the project, incorporating elements of the Red Sea coastline, Jazan’s mountain ranges, and the region’s iconic jasmine flowers, the release added. 

“We are honored to collaborate with SEVEN to develop this landmark entertainment destination in Jazan. Our shared commitment to excellence and innovation will ensure the project meets the highest quality of standards and contributes meaningfully to the Kingdom’s growing entertainment sector,” said Amer Alajmi, executive vice president of Alfanar Projects.  

The project is an exciting opportunity for Alfanar to play a key role in bringing world-class experiences to the Jazan community and beyond.” 

He described the project as an “exciting opportunity” for Alfanar to play a pivotal role in delivering world-class experiences to the Jazan community and beyond. 

The Jazan region is seeing a surge in development, with a project pipeline currently containing 47 projects with a combined construction cost exceeding SR3 billion. Among the projects are two seafront developments, 15 boulevard and resort projects, four hotels, three hospitals, 10 markets, and 13 industrial sites.

SEVEN, part of the Qiddiya Investment Co. and backed by the Public Investment Fund, is investing more than SR50 billion in developing 21 entertainment destinations across 14 cities in Saudi Arabia, furthering the Kingdom’s ambitions to transform its leisure and tourism sectors. 


Saudi unemployment eases to 3.4% in Q3: GASTAT  

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Saudi unemployment eases to 3.4% in Q3: GASTAT  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s overall unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent in the third quarter of this year, marking a 0.3 percentage point decline compared with the same period in 2024, official data showed. 

According to the General Authority for Statistics, the annual improvement came despite a 0.2 percentage point increase from the previous quarter. 

Saudi Arabia’s unemployment rate fell to a record low of 2.8 percent in the first quarter of the year before edging up to 3.2 percent in the second quarter and rising further in the third. 

The Kingdom’s strengthening labor market aligns with its Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to expand employment opportunities for citizens and support long-term economic growth. Reducing unemployment remains a central pillar of the broader socio-economic reform program. 

In its latest release, GASTAT stated: “The overall labor force participation rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis) reached 66.9 percent, showing a decrease of 0.2 percentage points compared to second quarter of 2025 and a yearly increase of 0.3 percentage points compared to the third quarter of 2024.”  

Among Saudi nationals, the rate of joblessness reached 7.5 percent in the third quarter, representing an annual decrease of 0.3 percentage points and a quarterly rise of 0.7 percentage points.  

Compared to the second quarter, the employment-to-population ratio for Saudis decreased by 0.6 percentage points to reach 45.3 percent. On a yearly basis, the ratio fell by 2.1 percentage points. 

“The labor force participation rate for Saudis in the third quarter of 2025 decreased by 0.2 percentage points compared to the second quarter, reaching 49 percent, and a decrease of 2.5 percentage points compared to the third quarter of 2024,” GASTAT said.  

Labor force participation of Saudi women stood at 33.7 percent in the third quarter, representing a 0.8 percentage point decline compared to the previous three months.  The employment-to-population ratio of Saudi women decreased by 0.9 percentage points to reach 29.7 percent.  

During the same period, the unemployment rate among Saudi women rose by 0.8 percentage points to 12.1 percent, compared with the previous quarter. 

Among Saudi men, the labor force participation rate increased by 0.3 percentage points to 64.3 percent. 

GASTAT also reported that 95.3 percent of unemployed Saudis are willing to work in the private sector. About 70.6 percent of unemployed Saudi women and 86.7 percent of unemployed Saudi men said they were open to working eight hours or more per day. 

The survey found that 61 percent of unemployed Saudi women and 42.7 percent of unemployed Saudi men were willing to commute for at least one hour to reach their workplaces. 

Among job seekers, the most common active search method was directly applying to employers, used by 73.3 percent of respondents in the third quarter. About 59.4 percent used the National Employment Platform, known as Jadarat, while 50.5 percent searched for jobs by posting or updating CVs on social media platforms.