Saudi Vision 2030 and the significance, impact and challenges related to hosting events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of economic and tourism growth with a focus on the Asian Cup 2027

Abstract

The dissertation examines the context, opportunities, challenges and significance of mega-event hosting in Saudi Arabia in conjunction with the country’s central development charter (Saudi Vision 2030). The analysis considers the overall impact of mega-event hosting and determines, based on a literature review, key informant interview representations, whether Saudi Arabia has the institutional capability to host the Asian Cup 2027. Despite the demonstrated opportunities and benefits in mega-event hosting, the research agenda evolves from critical challenges normally affecting mega-event hosting such as financial requirements, infrastructure build, human competency endowments, competition, lack of talent, cross-cultural differences, and other tourism-related development difficulties. The annals of mega-event hosting also depict major legacy failures where built infrastructure and facilities are relegated to wasteful non-use or under-utility for extended periods. The agenda assumes a more complex consideration because mega-event hosting in Saudi Arabia represents a national strategy of economic diversification through tourism-led industry and economic expansion. As a preferred transition strategy, mega-event hosting directly influences the growth of tourism which, in turn, generates spill-over development impacts in a way that creates jobs, increases income and improves the quality of life. Results of the document analysis suggest that Saudi Arabia remains equipped to successfully host mega-events and the Asian Cup 2027. Saudi Arabia’s earlier successful mega-event hosting engagements and improvements in tourism development serve as persuasive evidence. In the same vein, semi-structured interviews with experts yielded similar findings that Saudi Arabia can host mega-events and the Asian Cup 2027 with a 95% probability of success. The dissertation underlines the research conclusion that Saudi Arabia has the capability to successfully host mega-events and the Asian Cup 2027.