By Yara Abi Farraj
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Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Company to bring Parisian touch to historic city

Ambitious giga-project set to redefine tourism and culture
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Company to bring Parisian touch to historic city
Project will transform historic city into a cultural, heritage, and tourism hotspot

Diriyah Company announced its latest project, King Salman Boulevard, will bring a Parisian touch to the historic city. Inspired by the iconic Champs-Elysées in Paris, this grand boulevard will boast an exciting mix of shopping, leisure and entertainment offers, reminiscent of the popular avenue.

The unveiling of the project is scheduled for December 2024 and will mark the introduction of a cultural and entertainment hub. Moreover, King Salman Boulevard will feature an opera house, contemporary art museum, mosque, convention center, and performance arena. It will have a distinctive blend of traditional Saudi  Arabian culture and European vibe.

Historic Diriyah

Diriyah, the birthplace of the kingdom and the ancestral home of the Al Saud royal family, is undergoing a $63.2 billion giga-project spanning 14 square kilometers. The ambitious plan includes 42 hotels, over 100 restaurants, nine museums, and approximately 30,000 homes. It will transform this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a cultural, heritage, and tourism hotspot.

Golf and polo in the desert

Diriyah Company recently showcased the first phase of its 27-hole championship golf course designed by Australian former major winner Greg Norman. The Royal Diriyah Golf Club, located in Wadi Safar, will attract golf enthusiasts and host the Bashayer 2023 event. Additionally, the company unveiled plans for the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club. This signals a new era for equestrian events in the kingdom.

Luxury Living

Diriyah Company is not only focused on cultural and sporting endeavors but also on providing luxurious living experiences. The company unveiled three of its planned 42 hotels – the Aman, Oberoi, and Six Senses – at Wadi Safar. These demonstrate Diriyah’s commitment to offering world-class destinations. Moreover, the Najdi-inspired luxury homes have proven immensely popular, with properties being in high demand immediately upon launch.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 to generate 250,000 jobs

Tourism surge

Saudi Arabia is on the cusp of achieving its goal of 100 million annual domestic and international visitors. Thus, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb announced the kingdom’s revised target of 150 million visitors by 2030. Moreover, he highlighted Riyadh’s pivotal role in this surge. With Diriyah and Qiddiyah leading the charge in Saudi Arabia’s tourism giga-projects, the kingdom aims to position itself as a global tourism destination.

Future prospects

As Diriyah Company CEO Jerry Inzerillo envisions a mammoth staging of the World Expo in Riyadh in 2030, the transformation of Diriyah into a cultural and tourism hub will likely get a substantial boost. With the fusion of historic charm and modern amenities, the giga-project is set to redefine Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape. As the kingdom welcomes millions of visitors, from both domestic and international markets, the vision of a vibrant, dynamic Riyadh is rapidly becoming a reality.

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