Ego-crazed Saudis unveil plan for 800-mile 'luxury train cruise' called 'Dream of the Desert' in latest £43m project
Saudi Arabia has unveiled its latest ambitious plan for a luxury train cruise as it seeks to become the 'center of the world'.
The Middle Eastern country's pretentious skyscrapers, megacities and flying cars are all part of trillion-dollar initiatives designed to represent Saudi superiority.
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Saudi Arabia officially opened its doors to foreign tourists in 2019 – and is doing everything it can to lure international visitors in a desperate attempt to take center stage on the world stage.
Through huge investments as part of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 has unveiled to the nation hugely ambitious projects being financed with oil billions at an unprecedented pace.
Now the country is launching the first luxury train to be used in the Saudi Kingdom, after striking a £43 million deal with Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group.
The new train, called “Dream of the Dessert”, will offer “luxury train cruise trips” from the capital Riyadh to Qurayyat, which is close to the northern border with Jordan, state media reported.
The 1,300-kilometer route stretches across some of the country's most stunning desert landscapes and passes through the town of Hail.
A press release from the Saudi government states that the train's design is inspired by “Saudi style and tradition.”
And according to reports, fully customized trains consisting of 40 luxury cabins are already under construction.
Travelers who choose to take a ride can book one- or two-night trips, with a maximum capacity of 82 passengers.
Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale said: “The first stages of production of the Dream of the Desert carriages in Italy have recently begun, and we can't wait for the debut of our first train in the kingdom in the coming years,” Barletta said. in an official statement.”
The rail network, which carries trains at speeds of up to 300 km/h, is expected to eventually stretch all the way across the Middle Eastern kingdom.
Improvements are also being made to existing lines in the north-west of the country, with further high-speed services on the way.
In line with the crown prince's megalomania vision Mohammed bin SalmanSaudi Arabia has built mega-projects worth unfathomable amounts of money.
The Middle Eastern country will spend more than £138 billion annually on mega-projects between 2025 and 2028 – with around £1 trillion of major projects in the works.
'Built on blood'
But beneath the glitzy facade lies a story of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed.
Many projects have faced fierce criticism for human rights abuses, including the £400 billion Neom project, which saw tribes displaced from their homelands, imprisoned or executed.
At least 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe face deportationwithout information about where they will live in the future.
Authorities in the port city of Jeddah have also demolished many homes to implement Saudi Arabia's development plans – illegally evicting thousands of residents.
One campaigner claimed: “Neom is built on Saudi blood.”
Jeed Basyouni, Middle East director of the human rights organization Reprieve, said DW: “We have seen time and time again that anyone who disagrees with the Crown Prince, or stands in his way, risks being sentenced to prison or the death penalty.”
In 2022, Saudi Arabia was convicted three tribe members were killed for refusing to leave the desert area of the futuristic supercity Neom.
The trio from the Howeitat tribe had protested their forced eviction from the northern province of Tabuk to make way for the ultra-modern metropolis.
Inside Saudi Arabia's £1 trillion investment
SAUDI Arabia will spend £138 billion on mega projects every year between 2025 and 2028.
Here are some of the most ambitious projects the Middle Eastern country plans to launch by 2030.
Neom & De Lijn – Neom becomes one Ultra-modern metropolis in Jetsons style unlike the other very conservative parts of the desert kingdom.
Backed by the £400 billion Saudi Private Investment Fund, the group that bought it Newcastle United – the plans for Neom are so ambitious that some of the technology doesn't even exist yet.
Planning documents show the city will have flying taxis – a vehicle pictured in science fiction films such as Blade Runner and Back to the Future II.
The most striking feature of Neom is a mirrored megastructure called The Line – a 180 kilometer long, 500 meter high and 200 meter wide mirror building that will connect Neom to the rest of the kingdom.
Red Sea Project – The Red Sea Project is a tourism development on an archipelago of Saudi Arabian islands with a dedicated airport.
It will be built on 90 undeveloped islands between Umluj and Al Wajh on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.
Super cave hotel – Also part of Neom, Leyja will take your breath away hotel complex carved into the walls of a gigantic gorge.
The project's directors claim it will open its doors to tourists in 2024, despite not being built yet.
It will have three state-of-the-art hotelsdesigned by leading architects to blend in with the natural environment that makes up 95 percent of the futuristic city.
The hotels will have 120 luxury rooms and will operate completely sustainably to offer 'distinctive experiences'.
Future city epicon – Epicon is the latest megalomaniac development announced by Neom on November 15.
This futuristic coastal city will feature residential beach villas, hotels and a luxury resort.
Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon will consist of two ultra-modern towers of 230 and 300 meters.
The towering destination will be home to 41 hotels and luxury homes, with 14 suites and hotel apartments.
Close to the two luxury towers will be Epicon's own resort, with 120 rooms and 45 beautiful residential beach villas.
Epicon will also offer a beach club, spas, a range of recreational activities and water sports, culinary options to suit all tastes, and the natural beauty of the coastline in Neom.
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