58
INTERVIEW
This year looks likely to be bigger than ever. PK: The events industry in Saudi Arabia is still evolving and is poised for significant growth since the adoption of Vision 2030. Entertainment venues increased from 154 in 2017 to 277 in 2020, which is a remarkable increase and provides huge opportunities for hosting future events. We have had a strong start to 2022, where we were involved in the Dakar Rally, Formula E, Formula One and Winter Wonder Land. Looking forward, we hope to be part of all major events across KSA this year, with our single-source solution offering. There are a lot of projects in the pipeline, and we are very excited for the year ahead. What trends are shaping the industry in both the UAE and KSA? ES: While the UAE was already on the map as a
ME
top event destination, there is no doubt Expo 2020 has firmly positioned it as a top event destination on a global scale. The eyes of the world have been on the UAE, and we have proved we have the infrastructure, manpower and capability to do anything that is thrown at us. I’m excited to see how we capitalise on the opportunities that come from the success of Expo 2020 now its doors have closed. PK: The events industry in KSA is demonstrably on the rise and is shaping up to be an important part of the national transformation plan in the Kingdom; the country is dedicated to making available as many resources as necessary to achieve this. There is huge potential, and the changing social climate makes it easier to achieve these goals and attract more international visitors. On the infrastructure side, since most events are held in and around
hotels, hotel chains have been expanding rapidly, and we can see further developments and plans to create tourist-friendly zones or districts. In the next couple of years, events will continue to flourish and will contribute significantly to the growth ambitions of KSA, not just economically but also socially, with a strong focus on protecting its rich culture, showcasing the beauty of its geography, and attracting world-class events. The current trends of seasons across various regions in different periods of the year uniquely positions Saudi Arabia to be active all through the year and this bodes well for us as the only events rental specialists with a multidepot presence in the Kingdom and over 30 years’ experience servicing the events industry in the wider GCC region. Photos: Byrne Equipment Rental www.byrnerental.com
