NEOM will begin its major tourism activities from 2024 and is likely to attract a number of local and international tourists.
NEOM, which will be thirty-three times the size of New York City, is marketed as “The Place of the Future”. It is a part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to diversify its finances away from fossil fuels. According to the project’s CEO, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion futuristic metropolis NEOM will be ready to welcome visitors and investors by 2024.
In an interview with Asharq, Al-Nasr noted, “We spent two years developing the vision into a plan since this strategy affects all areas of NEOM” (via Arab News).
“Last year, we completed with strategies, then went on to preparation and design, and now we’re at the implementation phase” Al-Nasr explained.
Giga projects in Saudi Arabia
In its quest for contractors and investors, NEOM, which borders the Red Sea off the coast of Aqaba, recently welcomed approximately 150 engineering and building businesses. Renewable energy will be used to power the destination. At Shushah Island, NEOM has teamed up with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to develop the world’s most extensive coral garden.
“At NEOM, one of our aims is to rethink conservation to benefit the natural environment and future generations” Al-Nasr added. “One of the ways we’re accomplishing it is through our coral reef relationship with KAUST”.
NEOM officials stated that the first hotel will open by the end of 2022, with 15 hotels set to open between 2023 and 2025.
According to the project’s head of tourism, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion metropolises of the future, NEOM, will receive millions of tourists by 2030. Andrew McEvoy told The National that he expects two million “NEOMians” to call the city home within the next decade. He further stated that instead of Saudis, the people would be referred to as “NEOMians”. According to him, around 2,000 NEOMians and 10,000 construction workers already live there.
Mr. McEvoy spoke on the sideline of the Arabian Travel Market, which is presently taking place at Dubai’s World Trade Centre. “You will see a lot of movement starting in 2024 when our first tourism assets open” Mr. McEvoy added. “Work has already begun, and tourism initiatives will be implemented shortly”. The Trojena highland attraction will be one of the many tourist attractions in NEOM.
Attractions at NEOM
It will contain a ski slope, mountain biking, and watersports amenities in 2026. Interactive nature reserves will also be present. NEom is being built as a smart city that will run on renewable energy. According to The Wall Street Journal, it has drawn international attention due to previously published ideas that include flying taxis, classrooms managed by holographic professors, and an artificial moon. Mr. McEvoy stated that NEOM would be considered a distinct state from the rest of Saudi Arabia, with its own set of regulations. According to him, this will make it more appealing to those thinking to migrate there as well as to visitors.
He declined to rule out selling alcohol to lure individuals from other nations to come to the country for jobs or visits. He said, “Alcohol is not off the menu”. Selling alcohol would be Permitted. “We need to compete, and to do so, we need to match what other places have to offer”.
He also stated that the project will be car-free by 2030. Mr. McEvoy told, “The city is being developed to be fully car-free, but I believe there will be a short adjustment time”. “Many future mobility choices are already available, such as electric hybrids, and we’re experimenting with flying taxis”. “This is about giving tomorrow’s tourism”.
The project’s sustainability is also a significant priority. Mr. McEvoy explained that this is being pushed by young people who are more involved in combating climate change than earlier generations.
“The most strong reason behind this is many young Saudis who enthusiastically embrace a brighter beginning and regard NEOM as a light of that future”, says the group chevalier.
