News
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.
Also Read: Dubai Plans To Deploy Driverless Pods And Green Rail Buses
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.
News
UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.