Saudi Arabia Hits the Pause Button on Qiddiya’s Grand Opening
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The kingdom has decided to put a three‑day “Hold the Line” sticker on its star‑projected entertainment city, Qiddiya. The big play‑action that was supposed to begin on Wednesday has been postponed until Saturday, leaving tourists and investors alike holding their breath like a kid waiting for the ice cream truck.
What’s Qiddiya, Anyway?
Imagine a 334‑sq‑km amusement park that could rival Disneyland but with a Saudi twist. It’s all set down in the southwest corner of Riyadh, powered by a mix of venture capital and a hefty line of the sovereign wealth fund. The blueprint calls for:
- High‑end theme parks that could make Disney feel a bit jealous.
- Motor‑sport facilities that promise roaring engines and cheering crowds.
- A safari area that’s less “Tiger King” and more “Jungle Cruise.”
Why the Delay?
The official line? Nothing was disclosed. The State‑run Saudi Press Agency simply noted the postponement without any details, leaving the public in a fluffy sense of mystery.
First Phase Deadlines
Officials are still aiming to wrap up the first phase by the end of 2022. That means we’re looking at brush‑strokes of glitter and humor material that will bring people together for unforgettable entertainment.
Project Champions
Fahd bin Abdullah Tounsi, a project official, told a government statement on Monday that Qiddiya is part of a relentless push to:
“Develop giga‑projects that will help achieve many direct and indirect economic returns.”
Michael Reininger, Qiddiya’s chief executive, hinted that foreign investment is on the horizon. Although he didn’t crack numbers open, the slush fund already lured eyes from across the globe.
More Giga‑Projects on the Horizon
Saudi Arabia is stepping up on its “Vision 2030” playbook, concocting three mind‑blowing ventures, each worth several hundred billions:
- NEOM – A planned “regional Silicon Valley” built on the desert – a futuristic city that could be the next big thing in tech and tourism.
- Red Sea Project – A reef‑fringed resort destination that promises sea‑breeze joys for future honeymoon couples.
- Qiddiya – The “Disney” of the Middle East, up to the size of a small country!
Why All This Hype?
Once intertwined with an oil‑heavy economy, Saudi Arabia has been trying to diversify. The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been steering these reforms to boost domestic spending on entertainment, cutting through the petrodollar slump that started in 2014.
Today, Saudis are spending billions a year chasing movies and amusement parks in neighboring Dubai and Bahrain. The new aim? Keep all those entertainment dollars within the kingdom and watch the economy flourish.
Neat Stats from the General Entertainment Authority
In February, the authority announced plans to:
- Host more than 5,000 festivals and concerts in 2018 – double the number from the previous year.
- Inject US$64 billion (or S$85 billion) into the entertainment sector over the next decade.
All in all, the launch delay is just a small hiccup in what will undoubtedly become a game‑changing phase for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry.
