Why Are Gulf Countries Investing in Soft Power?

Why Are Gulf Countries Investing in Soft Power?

Published July 29th, 2020 - 03:00 GMT































If you think of museums you want to visit the most, you'll probably think of the Paris-based Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim or the Natural History Museum, but what if I tell you that you can visit all of these and more in the Arabian peninsula? 

Over the last few years, an increasing number of the Gulf countries have been quite aware of the importance of museums and cultural events as ways to celebrate the local identity and share it with new generations and considerable expatriate populations.

Additionally, GCC countries looking to further diversify their economic resources are now investing in the soft power as a means to attract tourists from around the world. They are now building new unique museums and hosting world-class art pieces, in addition to encouraging local artists to produce fine artwork that links the past and the future in the region.

Saudi Arabia, for example, has more than 200 different museums each dedicated to the unique cultural identity of its geographical area. During the last several years, the country has also announced numerous art galleries that reflect an increasing Saudi