Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and the Italian Arsenale Group have officially inked an agreement to introduce the “Dream of the Desert” luxury train service in Saudi Arabia.
The momentous deal was signed by Dr Bashar Al-Malik, CEO of SAR, and Paolo Barletta, CEO of the board of directors of Arsenale Group, during a ceremony attended by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser.
Scheduled to commence operations in the summer of 2025, the Dream of the Desert luxury train is set to embark on a captivating 770-mile journey from Riyadh, traversing through Hail, to the northern city of Al-Qurayat, situated near the border with Jordan. The train, featuring 40 opulent cabins and a maximum capacity of 80 passengers, is poised to redefine rail cruising experiences in the region.
The formal agreement is a culmination of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two entities on March 15, 2023, emphasizing their commitment to bringing innovative transportation options to Saudi Arabia.
Minister Al-Jasser highlighted the significance of this venture, stating that the introduction of luxury train services in the Kingdom represents a pioneering move in the Middle East and North Africa region. ‘
“This agreement is one of the initiatives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services to improve the quality of life and support leading national strategies,” he said.
Dr. Al-Malik, CEO of SAR, reiterated the company’s dedication to its pivotal national role, implementing qualitative initiatives in line with the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services.
The Dream of the Desert luxury train, he affirmed, would serve as an addition to SAR’s services, offering a unique tourism and entertainment option to customers while enabling both visitors and residents to explore diverse regions of the Kingdom in utmost luxury.
Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale Group, said that the initial production stages of the Dream of the Desert train have commenced in Italy, aligning with the planned service launch. He added that the train, designed to provide Orient Express-style luxury travel, symbolizes a significant investment by Arsenale Group in exceeding SR200 million.