Arab News, Sunday, Dec 04, 2022 | Jamadi Al Awwal 10, 1444
NEOM faces no obstacles to making The Line a reality as KSA has the vision: Top official
Saudi Arabia: NEOM
is facing no difficulties or obstacles in materializing The Line, the
170-kilometer smart city, as Saudi Arabia is determined to make it a reality,
according to a top official.
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, and the $500
billion project is becoming a reality.
“The development is being done. 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 traveled 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 the center stage in the vast beautiful 26,000
square kilometers.”
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 we have to launch Trojena to show the vision, but we have to also showcase
how we can bring Asian winter games into reality for people to come and
participate in winter sports in NEOM,” he added.
It should be noted that Trojena, which is due to
be completed in 2026, is an area where winter temperatures drop below zero and
year-round temperatures are generally 10 degrees cooler than 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
meters 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 everybody will be included.
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 visualize the future.
“In The Line, we want people to come and see how
sports stadiums are built, and where they are built. The sports stadiums in NEOM
are 300 meters high, loose and hanging in the air,” said Al-Nasr.