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Qiddiya

Coordinates: 24°35′N 46°19′E / 24.58°N 46.32°E / 24.58; 46.32
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Qiddiya
القدية
ProductsEntertainment, tourism, smart city
LocationRiyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
OwnerPublic Investment Fund
FounderSalman bin Abdulaziz
Key peopleMohammed bin Salman (Chairman)
Yasir Al-Rumayyan (Secretary General)
Established7 April 2017; 7 years ago (2017-04-07)
Launched2025 (proposed opening)
Websitewww.qiddiya.com

Qiddiya (Arabic: القِدِّية, romanized: al-qiddiyya / al-giddiyya, pronounced [ə- alɡɪdːijːa]) is a planned entertainment and tourism megaproject in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[1] Construction started at the beginning of 2019.[1] It was planned to open in 2023,[2] though as of 2024, major projects including Six Flags Qiddiya City, the Aquarabia waterpark, and the Formula One racetrack are incomplete (with the racetrack now being scheduled to open in 2027).[3][4] It is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy.[5]

History

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The project, which was announced in April 2017, is part of a goal to increase local spending and diversify the Saudi economy under Saudi Vision 2030.[6] The project is supported by the Public Investment Fund.[7] According to the organizers, the total number of annual visitors will by 2030 reach 17 million, and be the "largest tourism destination worldwide".[8][6][9] It is expected to create 325,000 jobs.[10]

The first phase of the project was planned to be completed by 2023. Upon the completion of this phase, 45 individual projects are to be completed.[11] There is a partnership agreement between Qiddiya and the University of Central Florida to train young Saudis on hospitality, tourism and sports management.[11]

Proposed activities

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Qiddiya Speed Park

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An FIA Grade 1 motor racing circuit, Qiddiya Speed Park, is expected to hold a Formula One or MotoGP race, currently planned for 2027.[12][13]

Construction delays to the racing circuit have caused numerous issues. The inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was scheduled to be held at the course in December 2021, but because construction was unfinished, the event took place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Because of the Formula One Group announcement in November 2020 that a Grand Prix would be held at the circuit in 2021,[14] the Saudi government allegedly paid tens of millions dollars to maintain hosting rights after completion of the project was delayed until 2027.[15][16] The announcement led to criticism against Saudi Arabia from human rights organizations for attempting to sportswash its image.

Six Flags Qiddiya

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Six Flags Qiddiya, which is currently under construction, is planned to be the largest theme park in the Middle East at 79 acres (0.32 km2),[17] and is expected to have multiple attractions. Notable attractions will include Falcons Flight, the world's fastest, tallest, and longest roller coaster, (which will partly go over the Qiddiya circuit)[18][19] and the world's tallest drop tower ride.[20]

Dragon Ball theme park

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In March 2024, Qiddiya, in collaboration with Toei Animation, announced the construction of the "world's only ever Dragon Ball theme park". It is planned to include over 30 attractions, including a "70 meter-high Shenron" statue that contains a roller coaster.[21] Upon the park being announced it was met with negative reception from international Dragon Ball fans who criticized Saudi Arabia's humans rights record, treatment of women, and lack of recognition of LGBT rights.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Construction at Saudi entertainment megaproject Qiddiya to begin this year". Arab News. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Developers reveal more details about Qiddiya, the Saudi entertainment supercity". Arab News. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Jeddah expects to host F1 race until Qiddiya circuit is ready in 2027". RACER. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  4. ^ Corder, Josh (8 December 2023). "Qiddiya Project Relaunched By Saudi Crown Prince Without Opening Date". Skift. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Qiddiya Project, Red Sea Project, can Saudi Arabia turn into a tourist destination?". Weetas Real Estate Blog, Market Stats, Real Estate Analysis. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Construction at Saudi entertainment megaproject Qiddiya to begin this year". Arab News. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Qiddiya to create a self-sustaining ecosystem". Saudigazette. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Al-Qiddiya: A futuristic mega city". Saudigazette. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  9. ^ "MiSK, Qiddiya team up for internship program". Arab News. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  10. ^ Takahashi, Dean (6 September 2024). "Will Saudi Arabia's big bet on the Qiddiya gaming and esports city pay off? | The DeanBeat". VentureBeat. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Developers reveal more details about Qiddiya, the Saudi entertainment supercity". Arab News. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  12. ^ Andrew Benson (17 January 2020). "Formula 1: Saudi Arabia unveils plans for race in 2023". BBC News. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Saudi Arabia showcases details of new Qiddiya F1 track". Motorsport Week. 5 March 2024.
  14. ^ "F1 adds Saudi Arabian Grand Prix night race to 2021 calendar | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Jeddah expects to host F1 race until Qiddiya circuit is ready in 2027". RACER. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  16. ^ "F1 risks human rights wrath over first Saudi Arabian race". The Times. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Largest Six Flags theme park in the world to open in Qiddiya". Arab News. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  18. ^ Sansens, Jonathan (13 April 2023). "Eerste track geplaatst van snelste, hoogste en langste achtbaan ter wereld" [First track installed for the fastest, tallest and longest roller coaster in the world]. Themeparkfreaks (in Dutch).
  19. ^ Stilwell, Andrew (14 November 2023). "Intamin Reveals Falcon's Flight Details". Coaster101. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Buckle up, the world's fastest roller coaster is coming to Saudi Arabia". Arab News. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Construction to Commence for the World's Only Dragon Ball Theme Park!". Dragon Ball Official Site. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Dragon Ball: First theme park to be built in Saudi Arabia". BBC News. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
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24°35′N 46°19′E / 24.58°N 46.32°E / 24.58; 46.32

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