Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled a new urban plan for a one-stop global tourism destination: Qiddiya City.
The massive entertainment project is under construction on the outskirts of Riyadh. His Royal Highness emphasised that Qiddiya City is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy, reduce reliance on oil revenues, and create job opportunities for Saudi youth.
Qiddiya is presented as a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, with the expected economic benefits including creating more than 325,000 jobs and a substantial annual gross domestic product contribution (SR135 billion), while attracting an estimated 48 million visitors.
The project is designed to boost economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. It is expected to position Riyadh as one of the top 10 economies globally.
Qiddiya is a critical element in achieving Saudi Arabia’s tourism and economic goals. The expectation is this development will attract local, regional, and international investors, providing support to Riyadh and contributing to the country’s overall development.
According to a report in Arab News, various attractions are planned for Qiddiya City, including a gaming and esports district, a motorsports racetrack, golf courses, a water park, a Six Flags theme park, and a sports stadium with the world’s largest Olympic museum.
Last year, the Qiddiya Investment Co. announced the awarding of an SR2.8 billion ($750 million) contract to build the country’s first and the region’s largest water theme park.
Construction of Qiddiya City is underway, with contracts totalling SAR 10 billion. Encompassing an expansive 360 square kilometres and featuring 60,000 buildings, the city is poised to accommodate more than 600,000 residents.
Qiddiya City is just 40 minutes from the centre of Riyadh, with a breathtaking backdrop of the Tuwaiq mountains.
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