THE IMPACT OF SPORTS TOURISM ON RIYADH CITY IN THIE AGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has experienced unprecedented growth in the field of sports, particularly in football. Measures have been taken to enhance sports infrastructure and improve the skills of players and coaches through the establishment of specialized football academies and the construction of modern stadiums equipped with the latest technologies. Saudi Arabia has surpassed traditional tourism models by identifying sports tourism as an opportunity to diversify the tourism sector and increase investments, achieving significant success in attracting tourists interested in participating in sports activities or watching their favorite stars. The Kingdom seeks to diversify its economy and achieve Vision 2030, with hosting major sporting events considered a significant step in this direction.The hosting of international sports events leaves substantial economic and social impacts on the host country. Hosting such events is a strategic decision for nations, requiring a balance between achieving economic and social objectives. This research explores the impacts of sports tourism on the economy, society, and businesses in Riyadh. The study utilizes a questionnaire-based approach, gathering responses from a statistically selected sample of individuals within the population to analyze these effects. The findings indicate that the sports tourism has effectively generated job opportunities, increased business activity, and contributed to economic growth, also indicate a need for more targeted promotional campaigns, as over 30% of respondents expressed doubts about the effectiveness of current marketing strategies.