Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has revealed ambitious plans to build the world’s first tourism destination on offshore platforms.
PIF posted a promotional video on social media showing the development. It takes its inspiration from offshore oil platforms, will also incorporate a roller coaster, water slides, scuba diving and a 50-berth marina.
#PIF announces “THE RIG.” Project.
The world’s first tourism destination inspired by offshore oil platforms.Read more: https://t.co/s3TLJ8mbVh#THERIGsa pic.twitter.com/YlC2kZ2yll
— Public Investment Fund (@PIF_en) October 16, 2021
What will be at The Rig?
It will span an area of more the 150,000 square metres. Features include three hotels, world-class restaurants and a range of adventure activities, including extreme sports.
A statement from the PIF said: “This project is a unique tourism attraction, expected to attract tourists from around the world while being especially popular with citizens and residents of the GCC countries in the region.
“The project is in line with PIF’s strategy 2021-2025 to drive innovation in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and entertainment sectors, providing promising development opportunities to achieve economic diversification in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.”
PIF is supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become a leading global tourist destination. This is being done by establishing several major projects and companies in various regions within the country. These include the Red Sea Development Company, Alsoudah Development Company and the Cruise Saudi Company.
The kingdom has already revealed plans for tourism to be the second-largest contributor to GDP after oil and gas by 2030 . Increasing it to 10 percent from 3.6 percent today.
Two further important pillars include becoming a top-five destination globally with 100 million annual visits to the kingdom; and providing one million extra jobs in the tourism sector.