Saudis Plan to Build 2 Amusement Parks Along Red Sea Coast

Saudi Arabia plans to build a Disneyland-type park and tourist city near the Red Sea port of Jidda and another tourist town in Riyadh, a Saudi Arabian businessman told reporters.

Saleh Kamel, chairman of the newly formed Saudi Company for Recreation, said the two projects, costing an estimated $133 million, should be completed by the end of the decade.

The country’s religious leaders have often urged Saudis to spend their holidays at home, while warning of the perils of travel abroad.

Kamel said the park, planned along the Red Sea coast about 25 miles north of Jidda, would have a marina, an aquarium, a hotel and visual attractions based on traditional imaginary Arab figures such as Sinbad the sailor.

It would also have an aquatic park with water slides and dolphin pools. Shops, restaurants, a health club, sports centers and a motor-racing circuit are planned for the city.

Another company official said that “appropriate separation of men and women will be maintained throughout the parks.”

Kamel said a $3.5-million contract for design of the Jidda park was to be awarded to the Italian firm Satpi Consulting Engineers within days. Construction, starting in nine months, would be completed by July, 1990.

The Riyadh project, whose design contract has already been awarded to the Canadian firm Consult Limited envisages a tourist town around an artificial lake fed possibly by artesian water, Kamel said. That project is due to be be finished by April, 1989, he added.