Saudi Arabia’s NEOM unveils new region

Magna is the fifth region of NEOM. Picture: NEOM

Magna will have 15 luxury hotels, 1,600 rooms and suites, over 2,500 premium residences, and facilities such as marinas, yacht clubs, beach clubs, equestrian centers, and water sports centers.

It consists of 12 separate destinations, all previously announced: Leyja, Epicon, Siranna, Utamo, Norlana, Aquellum, Zardun, Xaynor, Elanan, Gidori, Treyam and Jaumur.

“NEOM’s premier coastal region of Magna is a treasure of tomorrow, steeped in natural beauty and advanced technology,” said Nadhmi Al-Nasr, chief executive officer, NEOM,

“Aligned with our three pillars of redefining business, conservation, and liveability, Magna will play a key role in building a strong tourism ecosystem within NEOM.”

In April it was announced that Saudi Arabia was scaling down a project to build a 170km-long megacity called the Line. Originally envisaged as being home to nine million people and costing $1.5 trillion to build, the city is now expected to reach just 2.4km and house around 300,000 people by 2030.

The estimated cost of NEOM, which is to be built in the north west of Saudi Arabia is US$500 billion. The initiative emerged from Saudi Vision 2030, a plan that seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors.