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Diriyah is the ancestral home of the Royal Family of Al Saud, the focused on renewable energy. The three mega-projects NEOM
birthplace of the Kingdom. In December last year the first element is focused on is The Line, Oxagon and Trojena would reportedly
of the giga-project launched to the public, that of Bujairi Terrace, a generate an estimated 380,000 jobs and add SAR180 billion to the
collection of 21 globally renowned restaurants over a 15,000sq m overall GDP of the Kingdom.
area. The historical area and the birthplace of the Kingdom houses the
exciting new restaurant hub and meshes together rich culture, modernity Qiddiya
and world-class dining. On full completion, Diriyah will become Saudi’s Qiddiya, a multi-billion-dollar entertainment destination in Riyadh,
premier lifestyle destination to visit, live, work, shop, dine and celebrate is set to be the world’s largest entertainment city. Qiddiya will be a
the wonder of the Kingdom’s rich heritage and culture. disruptive destination recognised on the world stage as the home of
the most innovative and immersive experiences. Its wide range of
NEOM offerings will be based on the five cornerstones of sports & wellness;
Launched in 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman nature & environment; parks & attractions; motion & mobility and arts
bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and with a name that means “new future”, & culture, making Qiddiya the capital of entertainment, sports and
NEOM stands as the flagship project of Vision 2030 and post-oil the arts, not just in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but of the world.
diversification plans. As a $500bn mega-city of the future, it aims to Family-friendly theme parks, sports arenas suitable for international
become an international hub for a wide range of sectors and services. competitions, academies for sports and the arts, concert and
Completion is scheduled for 2030, but with a 26,500sq km site and entertainment venues, racetracks for motorsport enthusiasts as well
450km of coastline, growth and development of the area is expected as outdoor and adventure activities alongside nature and environment
to continue well beyond then. Located on the north-western edge experiences are just some of the fun attractions being developed.
of Saudi Arabia, the site is in proximity to Egypt, Jordan and Israel Qiddiya will also include a variety of real estate options and community
and eventually aims to incorporate territory from neighbouring services. In short, Qiddiya will be a place that enables the youth of
countries. The region has particularly favourable climatic conditions, Saudi Arabia to fulfil their ambitions. It will be a place where they enjoy,
with temperatures roughly 10° cooler than the GCC average. appreciate, aspire, advance and nurture their potential; a place that
NEOM, which is 5,000-year-old region, connects three continents unlocks opportunities and new professional pathways to help build a
– Asia, Africa and Europe – will see 95 per cent of the whole land more prosperous and progressive society. Qiddiya is being created
transformed to be a nature reserve. Saudi Arabia’s NEOM has to provide the youthful society of Saudi Arabia with opportunities in
released what visitors can expect, according to the latest facts shared entertainment, sports and the arts, whilst capturing the imagination of
by the city’s chief executive officer Nadhmi Al-Nasr. According to Al- the world. By unlocking new professional pathways and catalysing the
Nasr, NEOM is currently developing 15 islands as phase 1, followed development of creative industries, Qiddiya will be known as a place
by a full mobility system, the “largest marina on Earth” and is also of innovation and inspiration.