According to the project’s tourism director, Saudi Arabia’s Neom, a $500 billion future city, would have millions of people by 2030. Within the next decade, Andrew McEvoy told The National, he expects two million “Neomians” to live in the city.
Mr. McEvoy made his remarks on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market, which is now taking place at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. In 2024, people should begin to arrive.
“From 2024 you will see a lot of movement as our first tourism assets begin to open,” Mr. McEvoy said. “Work is already under way and the tourism projects will start to roll out from then.”
It will feature a ski slope, mountain biking trails, and watersports amenities when it opens in 2026. An interactive nature reserve will also be included. Neom is being built as a smart city that will run on renewable energy.
Mr. McEvoy stated that Neom would be treated as a separate entity from the rest of Saudi Arabia and would be subject to its own set of rules. This would appeal to both residents and visitors, he said.
According to The Wall Street Journal, it has drawn worldwide attention as a result of previously announced ideas that include flying taxis, holographic instructor classes, and an artificial moon.
“It’s fantastic career motivation and there is the backing from the Public Investment Fund to make sure it happens.
“Neom will be treated as a country within a country, with its own economic zone and its own authority. We need to make sure its laws and regulations match the ambitions of those we are trying to attract to work and live here.”
He also said people living there would not be referred to as Saudis but would be called by the title “Neomians”.
“We have got about 2,000 Neomians living there already along with about 10,000 construction workers,” Mr. McEvoy said.
“A lot of the people coming here to live and work will be experts in the fields of energy, water, and health — we’re already attracting a lot of great people.”
He also declined to rule out selling alcohol to lure individuals from other countries to come to the country for jobs or visits.
“Alcohol is definitely not off the table,” he said. He also stated that the project is on track to be car-free by 2030.
“The city is being built to be completely car-free but I think there will be a slight period of transition,” Mr McEvoy said.
“A lot of the mobility options of the future are out there already, like electric hybrids, and we’re experimenting with things like flying taxis.
“This is about providing the tourism of tomorrow.”
“The most powerful force we have behind this is a new generation of young Saudis who are passionately embracing a new future and see Neom as a beacon of that future.”
