Saudi Arabia has announced that with the goal of accelerating its $800 billion program to become a major travel hub and one of the most visited countries in the world, it aims to attract 70 million international tourists annually by 2030. In the following, we will explore some of the latest tourist destinations in the country.
Saudi Arabia has announced that, with the goal of accelerating its $800 billion program to become a major travel hub and one of the most visited countries in the world, it aims to attract 70 million international tourists annually by 2030. In the following, we will explore some of the latest tourist destinations in the country.
NEOM is a futuristic project that has led many people to wonder if this project is real or not. (To prove the critics wrong, NEOM recently released a video showing "NEOM is real" showcasing all the tangible progress made so far). The impressive numbers related to this project include "The Line," a completely car-free city that will be 105 miles long, 1,640 feet tall, and only 650 feet wide. This linear-shaped structure will have a mirrored facade, operate entirely on renewable energy, house 9 million people, and feature a high-speed train that can travel the entire length of the city in just 20 minutes.
The first phase of NEOM to welcome visitors will be Sindalah, set to open in early 2024. Sindalah, surrounded by a luxurious island and designed as a year-round boating center, aims to attract the boating community and recreational boat owners from the Mediterranean and beyond, who can travel through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea. The city will offer 86 docks and 75 marine vessels, along with luxurious hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and facilities for spa, golf, and sports.
Located 125 miles north of the Red Sea, the 1,500-square-mile Amala project is situated within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Protected Area. The first phase of the project, surrounding the Gulf Triple Marina, is set to open in mid-2024. One of the main attractions of the destination is the Red Sea Marine Institute, designed by Foster + Partners, ensuring the preservation of the area's pristine natural resources. The Amala project will include luxury resorts from renowned hotel brands, art galleries, an art academy, and over 800 residential units. The project will also feature an airport inspired by mirages and a marine institute based on coral reefs, alongside a spa-clinic. The completion of the Amala project is planned for 2027.
The Red Sea of Saudi Arabia, covering an area of 10,800 square miles, lies on the edge of the world's fourth-largest coral reef system and consists of 90 islands and desert landscapes. With dormant volcanoes, mountain valleys, and historical cultural sites, along with dive spots teeming with marine life along the coast, adventure travelers have a lot to experience. The destination will feature 16 luxury resorts. The entire Red Sea project will operate on renewable energy, including all transportation and seaplane services, and is expected to open in mid-2024.
The Mukaab project in Saudi Arabia is a golden-colored cube with dimensions of 400400400 meters, approximately 35 to 36 times the size of the Kaaba. According to the designers, 20 towers the size of the Empire State Building (New York's iconic skyscraper) will fit inside the cube. The project, led by the New Murabba Development Company under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, is part of Saudi Arabia's vision to create the "world's largest modern city center" in Riyadh. The area, known as the "New Murabba," covers approximately 19 square kilometers, about a third of Manhattan's size in the United States.
The Mukaab will be the world's first multidimensional experience destination, where visitors can step into new realms using virtual reality and holographic images. Apart from offering real experiences of tourist attractions, it will simulate virtual experiences of traveling to various destinations, such as Mars or the depths of the ocean.
Trojna is another part of the NEOM mega-project and will be built in the snow-capped mountains of the Tabuk province in Saudi Arabia. It will feature an active year-round ski resort, wellness retreats, retail outlets, restaurants, luxurious villas, cabins, and hotels. Covering an area of nearly 60 square kilometers, Trojna is located 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,600 meters. The project is expected to be completed by 2026 and will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. By 2030, Trojna is expected to host 700,000 tourists annually and house about 7,000 residents.
These destinations are part of the ambitious 2030 vision of the young crown prince, which is rapidly progressing under his direct supervision. If you have any thoughts on this topic, feel free to share them with us.
