News

Saudi Arabia Plans Wide-Ranging Entertainment Ecosystem

The global branding and urban planning for Qiddiya City aims to bring in 48 million visitors annually.

Published

9 months ago

May 16, 2024

Nour Nasir

saudi arabia plans wide-ranging entertainment ecosystem

Qiddiya

Qiddiya Investment Company has formed a merger with Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) amid plans to comprehensively overhaul the entertainment sector. The new entity aims to construct a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem to further Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and forge ahead with the construction of the multi-billion dollar Qiddiya project.

Managing director of Qiddiya and chairman of SEVEN Abdullah Aldawood, explained that the merger would “create a new concept of fun and improve the quality of life by building an integrated and unprecedented entertainment ecosystem”.

qiddiya project final plan saudi arabia

SEVEN brings vast experience to the ambitious plans after spearheading the development of 21 entertainment projects spanning 14 Saudi Arabian cities, with total investments exceeding $13 billion.

Among its many achievements, SEVEN was responsible for reintroducing cinemas to the Kingdom after a 35-year hiatus and has secured partnerships with global brands, including Transformers, Play-Doh, Hot Wheels, Clip’ n Climb, Discovery Adventures, and Flow House.

Also Read: Meet JAIS Chat: The AI-Powered Chatbot For Arabic Speakers

Qiddiya was envisioned as a giga-project and slated for a 2022 opening. However, the timeline has now shifted, with the opening of the eagerly anticipated Six Flags and Aqua Arabia theme parks now pushed back to 2025.

News

Dubai Duty Free And TerraPay Partner For Seamless Digital Wallet Payments

The move will enhance convenience for the 100 million customers traveling through Dubai Airport each year.

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2025

Nour Nasir

dubai duty free and terrapay partner for seamless digital wallet payments

Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world’s largest single airport retailer, has teamed with payment provider TerraPay to simplify transactions for international travelers. The partnership will allow over 100 million customers to pay using their home-country digital wallets, including Airtel Money, M-PESA, and MTN MoMooffering, allowing for seamless and accessible shopping experiences.

With TerraPay’s global network of 3.7 billion mobile wallets and its cross-border payments infrastructure, Dubai Duty Free is expanding its payment options to meet evolving consumer preferences. By integrating digital wallets into its system, DDF provides a convenient alternative to traditional payment methods, making transactions much smoother for travelers.

Digital wallets are rapidly becoming the dominant payment method worldwide: In 2025, they are expected to handle 52% of global eCommerce transactions and 30% of all in-store purchases. In addition, digital wallets are already projected to surpass 35% of all cross-border payments this year, highlighting the growing demand for fast, easy, and secure transactions.

Also Read: Visa Partnership Takes X Closer Toward Musk’s “Everything App” Vision

Ambar Sur, Founder & CEO of TerraPay, stated, “Our partnership with Dubai Duty Free […] reflects our shared vision […] to enhance convenience and accessibility, building an inclusive ecosystem that prioritizes customers. It also aligns with the launch of TerraPay’s Wallet Interoperability Council, which aims to create a more connected global payment landscape”.

Echoing this sentiment, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said, “We are reinforcing our commitment to empowering our customers by enabling them to pay with their preferred methods. Dubai Duty Free has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, and with access to TerraPay’s vast network, we’re excited to offer this new payment solution”.