Most people consider off-shore oil rigs a blight on the environment. But, Saudi Arabia has plans to turn some of theirs into adventure parks for tourists.
THE RIG is an entertainment project announced by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and is part of the government’s attempt to boost tourism to a Middle East country that’s still a mystery to most travellers.
THE RIG “will celebrate the legacy and heritage of Saudi Arabia's long oil and gas history” with a “unique hospitality and adventure experience” that will include three hotels with a total of 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, an extreme sports and adventure park, a world-class marina, and helipads.
They’re also planning for a diving centre, an amusement park, a splash/water park, an e-sports centre, an immersive theatre, and a multi-purpose arena.
The project will span a gross floor area of over 300,000 square meters. It’s located 40 km from the coastline, near Al Juraid Island and Berri Oil Field in the Arabian Gulf.
Officials say they hope to attract more than 900,000 annual visitors by 2032, appealing to a wide range of domestic, regional and international audiences, including adrenaline seekers, explorers and relaxation seekers.
