Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Saudi Arabia recently announced plans to convert an oil rig into a 150,000 square meter “extreme park” and resort located in the Arabian Gulf. Funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), The Rig will be comprised of three hotels and 11 restaurants spread over a number of connected platforms, as well as roller coaster rides and adrenaline-rush activities like bungee jumping and skydiving.
Renderings of the upcoming attraction, which aims to “provide a multitude of hospitality offerings, adventures, and aquatic sporting experiences,” along with a promotional video, were released earlier this month. PIF said in an official statement that the project is a unique tourism attraction, expected to attract tourists from around the world. It said it was expected to be particularly popular with visitors from the Arabian Gulf region.
Described as the “world’s first tourism destination inspired by offshore oil platforms,” the upcoming attraction is being devised in line with the long-term Saudi Vision 2030’s strategy, which aims to reposition Saudi Arabia as a top international tourism destination and diversify its economy. The country is currently determined to present itself as an attractive global hotspot that can compete with the likes of nearby Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman. It aims to attract 100 million tourists each year by the close of the decade.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced plans for a second national airline and said that the country will invest $147 billion into transport and logistics. The kingdom’s current flag carrier is Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian. News of The Rig project comes just months after plans for Six Flags Qiddiya were announced. The site is being constructed as part of a new city situated outside capital city Riyadh and will be home to the world’s fastest roller coaster when it launches in 2023.
Tags: saudi arabia, The Rig
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