Saudi Arabia is about to witness what has been called a significant new project that will be launched in 2026 and boost the country’s tourism sector.
It is expected to gain from the natural beauty that winter provides for the Tabuk region in northern Saudi Arabia, and become a vital winter resort to guests all year.
This is what Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was pointing to when he recently announced the establishment of the new mountain tourism destination Trojena.
It is said to be part of the plan and strategy of NEOM to support and develop the region’s tourism sector.
The ambience
Trojena is located in the heart of Neom, 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba’s coast, in a region marked by a group of Saudi Arabia’s tallest mountain peaks, around 2,600 meters above sea level.
The project area is apparently characterized by fresh air, stunning landscapes, and climatic variability.
Temperatures there reportedly drop below zero in the winter, and the average temperature throughout the year is 10 degrees lower than the rest of the region’s cities.
With its design, architecture, and technology, Trojena apparently aims to redefine the impression of visitors and inhabitants about the services that mountain resorts can deliver.
Redefining mountain tourism
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Prince Mohammed said the initiative would help redefine global mountain tourism by delivering an environmentally-friendly tourism system in all its dimensions.
This approach, he noted, “is in line with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to improve the quality of life, provide a safe and healthy life for all, and confirm our desire to stimulate worldwide efforts to protect the components of nature.”
Trojena would be “an essential complement to the region’s tourism projects, based on ideal investment in the kingdom’s geographical and environmental diversity,” he said.
Trojena is expected to be an essential addition to regional tourism projects, based on investment in the geographical and environmental diversity of various Saudi regions, and in a way that contributes to diversifying national income sources, benefiting from natural resources, developing, and preserving them for future generations.
“Trojena reflects NEOM’s values and goals as a land where nature harmonizes with modern technologies in a unique worldwide experience,” stated Nazmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM.
“The new project is a significant contribution to realizing NEOM’s long-term aspirations, by adhering to sustainability principles and the newest technologies and engineering, to make NEOM an integrated and appealing destination of world-class level,” he added.
هذه تروجينا. وجهة سياحية فريدة عالمية المستوى في جبال نيوم ⛰.
رحلة للأعالي.
#تروجينا #نيوم pic.twitter.com/ib7VVkNN7x— NEOM (@NEOM) March 3, 2022
New tourism model
The Trojena project apparently aims to create a new and distinct tourism model that combines economic, sociological, and environmental sustainability.
The project consists of six neighborhoods: Gateway, Discovery, Valley, Research, Relax, and Fun. They’re all designed to cater to various tastes and demands.
They will reportedly be built to architectural criteria that consider environmental sustainability, the preservation of different living organisms, and the preservation of nature and its sustainability.
The project’s highlights are said to be a large freshwater lake and The Bow Hotel, a one-of-a-kind architectural facility that offers an underwater hotel experience.
The Vault Village, which will be erected vertically inside the mountains and use the most up-to-date technologies, entertainment, and hospitality means, will also serve as Trojena’s primary entry gate.
There will also be a collection of luxury villas with panoramic views designed to reflect the beauty of the surroundings and the residential complex Slope Residences, which is positioned near the ski slope overlooking the lake and harmonizes in design with the surrounding terrain.
The project will be open all year and will also include several services and facilities.
Aside from the ski village and slope, there will be a variety of ultra-luxurious family and wellness resorts.
Employment boost
By 2030, Trojena hopes to attract more than 700,000 visitors and 7,000 permanent inhabitants in Trojena Village and neighboring residential areas.
All construction work is expected to be carried out in compliance with the strict approved NEOM environmental guidelines, which include restricting activities that harm the ecosystem and working toward sustainability.
The project will apparently create more than 10,000 jobs and add $800 million to the GDP of Saudi Arabia by 2030.
New aesthetics
Snowboarding in the open air is one of the project’s most notable aspects, expected to deliver an “unrivaled” experience, particularly in the GCC region’s arid environment.
Through it, Saudi Arabia will offer beginners and pros the opportunity to experience several ski trails of varying difficulty, passing through many sights, including the blue waters of the Red Sea and the the landscape of the Neom Mountains.
Furthermore, the ski courses will slope through the desert’s beautiful dunes.
As a result, the skaters may have a one-of-a-kind experience in a diversified landscape that combines mountains, water, and desert.