A senior official states that Saudi Arabia is dedicated to bringing The Line, the 170-kilometre smart city, to fruition, so NEOM is not facing any obstacles or difficulties in its project.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Riyadh last week, Peter Fitzhardinge, head of Tourism Marketing at NEOM, said that the developmental works in NEOM are progressing steadily. The $500 billion project is becoming a reality.
“The development is underway. NEOM is becoming a reality. I live in NEOM, and I see developments every minute of every day. You have to come to NEOM to see the future of livability in the world,” said Fitzhardinge. He added, “I have travelled over The Line. I do not think there are any obstacles for the Line, as we have the vision, will, and determination. The Line will take centre stage in the vast, beautiful 26,000 square kilometres.”
The Line: A Revolutionary Architectural Marvel
According to Fitzhardinge, the 2029 Asian Winter Games at Trojena will showcase how NEOM will use innovation to carry out the event in a meticulous manner. “NEOM is all about innovation. I think now, not only do we have to launch Trojena to show the vision, but we also have to showcase how we can bring the Asian Winter Games into reality for people to come and participate in winter sports in NEOM. He added.
Notably, Trojena, which is due for completion in 2026, experiences below-freezing winter temperatures and year-round temperatures that are typically 10 degrees colder than those in the rest of the region. He added, “We are not talking about a shopping mall here. We are talking about beautiful high mountains outdoors at 26,000 metres high. Trojena will be a great adventure playground for the world to come.”
He further pointed out that NEOM will not be just about tourists, but Saudis will also play a crucial role in running and managing the tourism sector in the megacity. “NEOM is a place where everyone will be welcome. It is very much about inclusivity,” said Fitzhardinge.
Earlier, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, during his speech at the Summit, said that the hanging stadiums within NEOM will make tourists reimagine and visualise the future. “We want people to visit The Line to see the construction of sports stadiums and their locations. The sports stadiums in NEOM are 300 metres high, loose and hanging in the air,” said Al-Nasr.
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