Located 50 kilometres from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, lies Saudi Arabia’s TROJENA – a snow-capped tourist destination, and part of the Kingdom’s megaproject NEOM.
With elevations ranging from 1,500 metres to 2,600 metres, covering an area of nearly 60 square kilometres, the destination is set to be transformed ahead of the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Saudi Arabia is the first country in the Middle East to host the games, which will feature 32 participating nations.
“This achievement sheds light on the enormous potential and the outstanding infrastructure of Saudi Arabia to host and organise international-level sports competitions and games successfully,” the country’s president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said after the announcement that TROJENA would host the event.
The kingdom’s bid to host the games was “unanimously approved” at the general assembly meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last week.
TROJENA, which is due for completion in 2026, is also located at an area where winter temperatures dip below zero. Year-round temperatures in the region average around 10 degrees cooler than other parts of Saudi Arabia.
“TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism”
The project was launched as part of NEOM’s “plan and strategy to contribute to supporting and developing the tourism sector in the region,” NEOM said in a statement.
“TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” Saudi Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of NEOM company board of directors, Mohammed bin Salman said during the project’s launch.
The Crown Prince explained that the project falls in line with the Saudi Arabia’s commitment to “be part of the global effort to protect the environment.”
He added: “TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism will be another revenue stream to support the Kingdom’s economic diversification while still preserving its natural resources for future generations.”
The six districts of TROJENA
The destination will house six districts, with each of them having tailored experiences to ensure visitors visit the upcoming region all year long. The districts are: Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun.
Additionally, the destination has a planned set of programmes for visitors to experience throughout different times of the years.
From September to November, visitors can access a wellness summit, alternative medicine, discovery week, yoga retreat, artist residency and entertainment residency.
From December to March, which is the winter season, visitors can look forward to skiing, snowboarding, winter fashion week, ice skating, music festival and a film festival.
For adventure season, which runs from March to May, visitors and residents at TROJENA can opt for a high-altitude training, witness an adventure triathlon, take part in a yoga retreat, go mountain biking, paragliding and even climbing.
During Lake Season, which runs from May to September, visitors can visit a music festival, food festival, art fair, cultural week, light show, and attend a yoga retreat.
Other key highlights at TROJENA include: a ski village, the vault, the lake, the wildlife reserve, the observatory, the bow and the ultra-luxury mansions.
“Outdoor skiing is a unique feature of TROJENA that will provide a unique experience never before witnessed in the region, especially in Gulf countries known for their desert climates,” NEOM said earlier this year, adding that amateurs and professionals alike will be able to “enjoy the many ski runs of various difficulties with an array of contrasting and breath-taking views.”
The coldest place in the kingdom, will also feature ‘The Bow’ hotel, which is “an architectural masterpiece that will offer an unrivalled hotel experience.”
In terms of residences, the snowy development will also include the Slope Residences.
“These will be located near the ski slope overlooking the lake, designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, as well as luxurious mansions with panoramic views designed to reflect the beauty of the environment,” NEOM said.
TROJENA as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 7,000 permanent residents to live in the development and its adjacent residential districts by 2030.
“All construction activity will adhere to NEOM’s strict environmental principles, which include a commitment to minimize disruption to the local ecology and to ensure long-term sustainability,” the statement said.
In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, TROJENA aims to create over 10,000 jobs and add SAR 3 billion ($800 million) to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030.
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