{"id":1140,"date":"2021-07-01T17:04:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T17:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2025-05-02T01:47:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T01:47:23","slug":"the-saudi-gigaprojects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/","title":{"rendered":"The Saudi Gigaprojects"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#The_Tourism_Industry\" title=\"The Tourism Industry\">The Tourism Industry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#An_Ambitious_Vision\" title=\"An Ambitious Vision\">An Ambitious Vision<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#NEOM_%E2%80%94The_New_Future\" title=\"NEOM \u2014The New Future\">NEOM \u2014The New Future<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#SEVEN_Entertainment_Ecosystem\" title=\"SEVEN Entertainment Ecosystem\">SEVEN Entertainment Ecosystem<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Qiddiya_Entertainment_City\" title=\"Qiddiya Entertainment City\">Qiddiya Entertainment City<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Red_Sea_Project\" title=\"Red Sea Project\">Red Sea Project<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#AMAALA\" title=\"AMAALA\u00a0\">AMAALA\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Other_Projects_in_the_Pipeline\" title=\"Other Projects in the Pipeline\">Other Projects in the Pipeline<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Al_Ula\" title=\"Al Ula\">Al Ula<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Jeddah_Tower\" title=\"Jeddah Tower\">Jeddah Tower<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Diriyah_Gate\" title=\"Diriyah Gate\">Diriyah Gate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Al_Widyan\" title=\"Al Widyan\">Al Widyan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#The_Avenues_%E2%80%93_Riyadh\" title=\"The Avenues \u2013 Riyadh\">The Avenues \u2013 Riyadh<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Al_Akaria_Arabian_Dream\" title=\"Al Akaria Arabian Dream\">Al Akaria Arabian Dream<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Mall_of_Saudi\" title=\"Mall of Saudi\">Mall of Saudi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Royal_Commission_for_Riyadh_City_Initiatives\" title=\"Royal Commission for Riyadh City Initiatives\">Royal Commission for Riyadh City Initiatives<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Green_Riyadh\" title=\"Green Riyadh\">Green Riyadh<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Riyadh_Art\" title=\"Riyadh Art\">Riyadh Art<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#King_Salman_Park\" title=\"King Salman Park\">King Salman Park<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Sports_Boulevard\" title=\"Sports Boulevard\">Sports Boulevard<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#Makkah_National_Park\" title=\"Makkah National Park\">Makkah National Park<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#King_Abdullah_Economic_City\" title=\"King Abdullah Economic City\">King Abdullah Economic City<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/the-saudi-gigaprojects\/#A_Golden_Opportunity\" title=\"A Golden Opportunity\">A Golden Opportunity<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; font-family: Geologica; line-height: 22px;\">Once primarily of appeal to religious tourists, Saudi Arabia is now positioning itself to become <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">the ultimate leisure destination<\/span>. <\/strong>Under the Vision 2030 Plan, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, the kingdom is focused on diversifying its economy away from a reliance on oil revenues.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; font-family: Geologica; line-height: 22px;\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; font-family: Geologica; line-height: 22px;\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; font-family: Geologica; line-height: 22px;\"><strong>The tourism and leisure industry are expected to be big beneficiaries. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; font-family: Geologica; line-height: 22px;\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 15px; font-family: Geologica; line-height: 22px;\">In this article, we&#8217;ll be covering the major <s>mega-<\/s>, gigaprojects that have been announced so far.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Tourism_Industry\"><\/span><strong>The Tourism Industry<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">First, a bit of background.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Saudi is a nation with 60% of the population <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1849981\/saudi-arabia\">under the age of 35<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Saudis spend $37 billion on entertainment. But of this amount, local entertainment spending only accounts for about 30%.\u00a0 A crucial goal of Vision 2030 is to offer an alternative to Saudis from traveling abroad for their leisure and entertainment. But making citizens spend money within the country to boost the economy requires innovative entertainment experiences.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Moreover, household entertainment spending is projected to increase at 2.9 to 6%; Saudi Arabia\u2019s entertainment market could be a 30b SAR local market by 2030.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">The existing tourism sector is vibrant, with 18 million inbound trips to, and 45 million local trips within the Kingdom. On average, foreign tourists spend 9 nights in Saudi Arabia while local tourists record an average of 5 nights per trip. Most of this tourism is pilgrimage and\/or religiously-motivated, but importantly it means that the tourism infrastructure in terms of hotel accommodations, roads, and other service industries is already present.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">In order to accomplish its goals, the Kingdom targets tourism income contribution of 10% of GDP.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Increasing private sector and SME contribution and foreign direct investments are crucial to this goal. As are the plans to double UNESCO heritage sites, improve visa issuance processes, and construct attractions meeting the highest international standards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Among the most remarkable programs under Vision 2030 are the so-called gigaprojects.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Ranging from entertainment complexes to innovative city developments, these projects are poised to completely transform the Saudi entertainment and leisure landscape. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Ambitious_Vision\"><\/span><strong>An Ambitious Vision<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With budgets ranging from $1.2 billion to $500 billion, these gigaprojects aim to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom while changing the Middle East&#8217;s leisure and tourism center of gravity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NEOM_%E2%80%94The_New_Future\"><\/span><em><strong>NEOM \u2014The New Future<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1157\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/NEOM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Of the various projects under consideration, NEOM may be one of the most ambitious.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">NEOM is a full-fledged megacity due to rise in northwest Saudi Arabia (Tabuk). The city will share the Kingdom\u2019s northeast border with Jordan and Egypt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Covering a total area of 26,500 square kilometers (including a 468-km coastline along the Aqaba Gulf), and encompassing mountains with elevations as high as 2,500 meters, the planned area is <strong>thirty-three times as large as New York City. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Taking advantage of its location, NEOM will have direct transportation hubs to Dubai, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Publicly launched in 2017, the first phase of the project has a 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY\">completion date<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">16 economic divisions will account for forecasted annual revenues of around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.argaam.com\/en\/article\/articledetail\/id\/577216\">$100 billion<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">A major feature of the city is zero-carbon emissions by using renewable energy as the main power source. As part of the thrust to increase non-oil exports, NEOM has a partnership with Air Products to build a carbon-free hydrogen plant with a $5 billion budget.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">NEOM&#8217;s flagship project is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/hrh-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-announces-the-line-at-neom-301204772.html\">The Line<\/a>, a city within a city, and one built for a million residents stretching across a length of 170 kilometers.\u00a0 Planned to be a city run by machines, The Line will use smart technology using 5G networks to eliminate cars and roads and solve the issue of congestion.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">As a cornerstone project for Vision 2030, NEOM is one of the priority projects of the Kingdom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SEVEN_Entertainment_Ecosystem\"><\/span><em><strong>SEVEN Entertainment Ecosystem<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1161\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/SEVEN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">After opening the first cinema in Saudi Arabia in the last 35 years, Saudi Entertainment Ventures Company (SEVEN) has an entire lineup of projects in line with Vision 2030.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With a combined budget of <a href=\"https:\/\/blooloop.com\/technology\/news\/hill-international-seven-saudi-arabia\/#:~:text=SEVEN's%20entertainment%20plans%20in%20Saudi,billion%20of%20that%20in%20infrastructure.\">$64 billion<\/a> for multiple sites in Saudi Arabia, development plans include two large theme parks, 20 entertainment destinations, and 50 cinemas. Approximately $2.7 billion has already been spent on infrastructure projects across the Kingdom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.behance.net\/gallery\/82263355\/saudi-entertainment-ventures-Social-Media\">Jeddah and Dammam<\/a>, key communities for business and industries, will be the site of two mega theme parks. SEVEN will also open <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/mena\/en\/story\/amp\/ZAWYA20200225103419\/\">new entertainment complexes<\/a> in the two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, in Saudi Arabia\u2019s unofficial summer capital Taif, and in the scuba-diving destination Yanbu.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Other areas for development include Al-Kharj, Buraydah, Abha and Khamis, Al Khobar, Jazan, and Tabuk where construction work for NEOM is underway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Within Riyadh, the Kingdom\u2019s capital, two entertainment complexes spanning 100,000 and 13,500 sqm will be home to retail establishments, restaurants, venues for shows and events, cinemas, leisure facilities for watersports, and other activities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Qiddiya_Entertainment_City\"><\/span><em><strong>Qiddiya Entertainment City<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1172\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Qiddiya.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With an announced budget of $8 billion, Qiddiya Entertainment City plans to rise as the Kingdom&#8217;s primary entertainment destination, with 45 individual projects and 300 leisure activities. These include theme parks, golf courses, sports facilities, mountain sports within the Exo-zone, safari tours, winter activities, grassroots sports, cultural and educational events.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Located about 40 kilometers from Riyadh\u2019s city center, the city spans an area of 334 square kilometers with a planned developed area of 103 square kilometers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Phase 1 of the project will see the opening of Six Flags Qiddiya with 28 attractions across its six lands. The park&#8217;s signature attraction will be Falcon&#8217;s Flight, the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Among other attractions, the city will also feature a 5-star golf resort &amp; spa with an 18-hole championship course, a 4-star waterpark resort, a Motorsport \u201cspeed park\u201d, and Karting facilities. The development also includes a clifftop stadium, a performing arts theatre, and a multi-purpose indoor arena.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Red_Sea_Project\"><\/span><em><strong>Red Sea Project<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1158\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Red-Sea.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Announced in 2017, the Red Sea Project is a megaresort complex including 50 resorts across six inland sites and 22 island destinations. The development is planned to cover 28,000 square kilometers, including 200 kilometers of coastline and 90 offshore islands between Umluj and Al Wajh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With an estimated budget of $4 billion, the Red Sea project will contain more than 8,000 hotels rooms, and 1,000 residential properties. A new international airport will facilitate transport.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Phase 1, with a target date of 2023, will see the launch of the Foster + Partners-designed Coral Bloom Resort, as well as the completion of two inland resorts and 14 luxury hotels across five islands.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Expected to generate revenues of up to $6 billion per year upon completion, the project&#8217;s attractions also include canyons, beaches, dormant volcanoes, and scuba diving on the 4th largest barrier reef system in the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">The development will have a light footprint, with only 1% of the land area actually developed, treating guests to the beauty of nature even while offering luxurious leisure facilities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"AMAALA\"><\/span><em><strong>AMAALA\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1147\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Amaala.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Dubbed the new Riviera of the Middle East, AMAALA is an ultra-luxurious resort development within the Prince Mohammad bin Salman Natural Reserve on Saudi Arabia&#8217;s northwestern coast.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Planned with more than 700 residential villas, 2,500 hotels, and 200 high-end retail establishments, the resort will be developed in line with the goals of environmental conservation, with actual development covering only 5% of the area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">The resort will cover <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amaala.com\/en\/about-us\">4,155 <\/a>square kilometers across various locations. The Island will feature Arabian-inspired botanical gardens highlighting sculpture and art, while Triple Bay will be the place for rejuvenation and environmental conservation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Designed to be the Middle East\u2019s art epicenter, the coastal development includes a cultural village with a contemporary art museum. Eco-diving, yachting, and a world-class golf course are also part of the coastal development.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Main facilities include the Wellness Core wellness retreat center, and the marine and coastal science research center Marine Life Institute. The development also includes a sports performance academy and an active sports club facility offering polo, falconry, equestrian, camel racing, tennis, and golf.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Other amenities will include beachfront access, marinas, exhibition and performance facilities, artisan shops, and working studios. Year-round sea expeditions, a fashion scene, mindful and healthy activities will also be part of the offerings.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Projects_in_the_Pipeline\"><\/span><strong>Other Projects in the Pipeline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With several infrastructure projects in the pipeline, some gigaprojects are due to receive higher priority. Despite delays for some developments, construction has been ongoing all over the Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">While it&#8217;s unknown if all projects will see completion, Vision 2030 initiatives include the following developments.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Al_Ula\"><\/span><em><strong>Al Ula<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1173\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Al-Ula.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With a budget of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-tourism-alula-idUSKCN1R1107\">$20 billion<\/a>, Al Ula is focused around Hegra, Saudi Arabia\u2019s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by 23,000 archeological sites, the area would be the Kingdom&#8217;s main cultural ecotourism destination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">The Al Ula developments will include an airport expansion, museums, a 5,000 sqm concert hall, hotels, and resorts. The area will also have wildlife &amp; natural reserves, mountain trails, and desert campsites.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jeddah_Tower\"><\/span><em><strong>Jeddah Tower<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1174\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Jeddah-Tower.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With an initial budget of $1.2 billion, the Jeddah Tower will symbolize the region\u2019s prosperity and growth. The one-km-high tower will house a Four Seasons hotel, office spaces, and residences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With an initial completion date of 2020, construction stopped in 2018 with <a href=\"https:\/\/constructionreviewonline.com\/project-timelines\/jeddah-tower-project-timeline-and-all-you-need-to-know\/\">60 floors<\/a> out of 252 floors completed. While there is no updated target completion date for Jeddah Tower, construction of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theurbandeveloper.com\/articles\/jeddah-tower-progress-update-worlds-tallest-tower\">surrounding master plan<\/a> is ongoing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Diriyah_Gate\"><\/span><em><strong>Diriyah Gate<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1175\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Diriyah-Gate.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Covering 7 square kilometers, Diriyah Gate has a $20b budget and a 2028 deadline.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Diriyah Gate will be a lifestyle destination with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldconstructionnetwork.com\/news\/work-begins-on-20bn-diriyah-gate-giga-project-in-saudi-arabia\/\">attractions<\/a> like a Formula-E racetrack and a 15,000-seater arena.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With elements focusing on entertainment, hospitality, education, and culture, the development also includes five iconic squares, outdoor plazas, 20 hotels, and a 3-kilometer escarpment walk, and more than 100 dining options.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Al_Widyan\"><\/span><em><strong>Al Widyan<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1176\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Al-Widyan.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Al Widyan is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.constructionweekonline.com\/article-50003-saudis-al-akaria-unveils-construction-plan-for-700ha-riyadh-project\">$2.7 billion development<\/a> with 20,000 low-rise and high-rise housing units in Riyadh\u2019s northwest growth corridor. The development has a walkable design and expansive greenery designed for young families.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">To create a 24\/7 community, the development includes educational, leisure, and business facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Avenues_%E2%80%93_Riyadh\"><\/span><em><strong>The Avenues \u2013 Riyadh<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1177\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Avenues.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Scheduled to open in 2023, <a href=\"http:\/\/shomoul.com.sa\/en\/our-projects.html\">The Avenues \u2013 Riyadh<\/a> sits at the capital city\u2019s entry point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">The $3.2 billion development by Shamoul covers 390,000 square meters. Features of the project include shopping and entertainment districts, Hilton-operated hotels, and residences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Al_Akaria_Arabian_Dream\"><\/span><em><strong>Al Akaria Arabian Dream<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1178\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arabian-Dream.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Al Akaria is a mixed-used development and leisure destination. Located in Riyadh, this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spglobal.com\/marketintelligence\/en\/news-insights\/trending\/-khmohjhlziqdxtpt5n91w2\">$5 billion development<\/a> is planned to cover 7 million sqm. Project features include sports and recreational facilities, water parks, theme parks, shopping centers, AI technology, and dining options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mall_of_Saudi\"><\/span><em><strong>Mall of Saudi<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1179\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Mall-of-Saudi.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Another project in Riyadh, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mallofsaudi.com\/-\/media\/mall_mos\/about\/522020_mos-brochure.pdf?la=en\">Mall of Saudi<\/a>, will cover an area of 866,000 square meters. Set to open in 2025, the project has a budget of $3.2 billion.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Mall of Saudi will have an indoor snow park, serviced apartments, hotels, showrooms, entertainment areas, and restaurants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Royal_Commission_for_Riyadh_City_Initiatives\"><\/span><em><strong>Royal Commission for Riyadh City Initiatives<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Riyadh, the Kingdom\u2019s capital, is among the main areas for development. To support Vision 2030, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldconstructionnetwork.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-begins-four-urban-development-projects-worth-185bn-in-riyadh\/\">four major initiatives under its management.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With a combined budget of $23 billion, the projects will improve the quality of life in the capital. RCRC also expects to create 70,000 jobs and attract investment of up to SAR50 billion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Green_Riyadh\"><\/span><strong>Green Riyadh<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Green-Riyadh.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcrc.gov.sa\/en\/projects\/green-riyadh-project#:~:text=Green%20Riyadh%20is%20one%20of,top%20100%20most%20livable%20cities.\">Green Riyadh<\/a> focuses on planting 7.5 million trees to support the capital\u2019s green initiatives. Target areas include King Khaled International airport, mosques, streets, roads, parks, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">By increasing greenery, the project aims to decrease the temperature by 2\u00b0C and improve air quality in the city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Riyadh_Art\"><\/span><strong>Riyadh Art<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1181\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Riyadh-Art.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\"><a href=\"https:\/\/riyadhart.sa\/en\/\">Riyadh Art<\/a> is a project to bring art closer to the public eye through 10 interactive program plans.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\u00a0Museums, theatres, and other collaborators will deliver more than 1,000 art pieces in public spaces. Under the initiative, works of artists from around the globe will be on bus stations, residential neighborhoods, city entrances, squares, and parks. Moreover, the city will also host art festivals every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"King_Salman_Park\"><\/span><strong>King Salman Park<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1182\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/King-Salman-Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Expected to be the world\u2019s largest city park with an area of 13.4 square kilometers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/kingsalmanpark\/\">King Salman Park <\/a>will offer diverse entertainment options. Linked to the city\u2019s main thoroughfares, the area will have open squares, vertical gardens, and water features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">A national theatre, museums, galleries, an opera house, art academies, The Royal Art Complex, and a sports complex are included. The sports complex is due to feature an 18-hole golf course, a 50,000 sqm sports court, an equestrian center, and a skydiving center.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sports_Boulevard\"><\/span><strong>Sports Boulevard<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1183\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Riyadh-Sports.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20190925005548\/en\/Transforming-a-City%E2%80%A6-and-the-Lives-of-Millions\">Sports Boulevard<\/a>, which features 48 green spaces, will be the main health and wellness destination within the capital. The project will have a network of cycle routes including a 135-kilometer professional cycling track, jogging tracks, and horseback riding tracks. Additional features include event venues, movie theatres, outdoor museums, and show squares.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Makkah_National_Park\"><\/span><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: 40px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Makkah National Park<\/span><\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Makkah-National-Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Makkah National Park aims to develop 14 million square meters of land in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/makkah-development-work-starts-today\">Makkah province<\/a>. The development, which includes the Adlam Mountains, will feature a 31-kilometer walking trail and a camping area. The Park which can accommodate 100,000 visitors will also have a resort area, theme park, and sports area offering 42 activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"King_Abdullah_Economic_City\"><\/span><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: 40px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">King Abdullah Economic City<\/span><\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1185\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/King-Abdullah-EC.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Started in 2006, King Abdullah Economic City&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pri.org\/stories\/2015-03-20\/saudi-arabia-plans-100-billion-mega-city-help-end-its-oil-dependence\">initial development cost <\/a>was announced as $100 billion. The master plan included the development of industrial and residential districts and improving the facilities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">When completed, the city will have resorts and a Play District with two theme parks, a water park, a children\u2019s park, and a wildlife park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Golden_Opportunity\"><\/span><strong>A Golden Opportunity<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">With tourism being touted as the Kingdom&#8217;s second most important industry after oil, Saudi Arabia&#8217;s gigaprojects play a crucial role in creating a sustainable economy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Commitment to core projects like NEOM and Qiddiya is crucial to achieving the Kingdom&#8217;s goal of being in the world&#8217;s top 5 destinations attracting <a href=\"https:\/\/hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu\/saudi-arabia-tourism\">100 million<\/a> tourists annually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">Despite difficulties brought by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia renewed its commitment to various entertainment projects under Vision 2030. The Kingdom&#8217;s ambitions are staggering in size and vision, and if various facilities are operational by 2023 or 2024, as planned, the Kingdom is set to usher in a totally new era of tourism not only regionally, but worldwide. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 20px; font-family: 'EB Garamond';\">\r\n\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once primarily of appeal to religious tourists, Saudi Arabia is now positioning itself to become the ultimate leisure destination. Under the Vision 2030 Plan, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, the kingdom is focused on diversifying its economy away from a reliance on oil revenues. The tourism and leisure industry are expected [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,60,9],"tags":[63],"class_list":["post-1140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-and-references","category-middle-east","category-theme-parks","tag-saudi-arabia"],"acf":{"":"","bfi_title":"","bfi_title_2":"","bfi_description":"","chart_image":"","chart_title":"","chart_description":"","bc_title":"","bc_sub_title":"","bc_content":"","bc_right_side_content":"","highlighted_image":"","highlighted_sub_title":"","highlighted_title":"","highlighted_bottom_text":"","highlighted_button_text":"","highlighted_button_link":"","below_highlighted_title":"","below_highlighted_sub_title":"","below_highlighted_content":"","below_highlighted_right_side_title":"","below_highlighted_list":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1140"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theparkdb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}