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Saudi Arabia Plans Huge Adventure Tourism Oil Rig Facility
THE RIG is located 40 km offshore, close to Al Juraid Island and the Berri Oil Field in the Arabian Gulf.
Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking adventure tourism project known as THE RIG, which takes inspiration from offshore oil platforms, and is poised to become the world’s first adventure tourism hub. The development is led by the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), and is set to revolutionize marine sports and global adventure tourism.
Aligned with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, THE RIG aims to strengthen the nation’s tourism sector, create job opportunities, attract investments, and diversify the economy. The expansive facility, covering an area of 300,000 square meters, is strategically positioned approximately 40 kilometers off the coastline, near Al Juraid Island and the Berri Oil Field in the Arabian Gulf.
Raed Bakhrji, CEO of OPDC, envisions THE RIG as a magnet for an estimated 900,000 visitors annually by the year 2032, drawing individuals from domestic, regional, and international backgrounds.
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THE RIG will feature three hotels, collectively offering 800 rooms, along with 11 dining establishments, a marina, helipads, and an extreme sports and adventure park. The extensive array of water-based activities comprises a diving center, amusement park, splash park, eSports center, immersive theater, and a versatile arena, ensuring a multifaceted and exhilarating experience for all visitors.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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