Trojena: A Mountain Tourism Revolution in the Heart of NEOM
Work is accelerating day and night to complete the 2.8-kilometer-long freshwater lake dams in Trojena, one of NEOM’s destinations.
The lake includes The Bow, a hidden architectural landmark that extends beneath its surface and houses a luxury hotel, residential areas, and restaurants, as well as a conference and event hall.
A Year-Round Tourist Destination
Trojena is a year-round mountain tourism destination offering a range of adventure sports, outdoor skiing activities, and exceptional tourism experiences.
It also includes a variety of options for nature hikes and virtual adventures.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, launched the Trojena project in 2022 as a sustainable mountain tourism destination, combining natural landscapes with unique architecture and advanced technologies.
Trojena will offer unparalleled experiences and will host international festivals and events, such as the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
The Trojena project will also offer year-round skiing, the Kingdom’s first outdoor sporting experience, on mountain peaks ranging in height from 1,500 to 2,600 meters.
This will be in addition to a number of activities and events for adventure enthusiasts, and work is scheduled to be completed by 2026.
Trojena Project Location
The Trojena project is located in the heart of NEOM, spanning an area of 60 km², 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea.
The retail and restaurant space will cover approximately 42,000 m².
Three international airports are located nearby: Neom Bay Airport, Tabuk International Airport, and Aqaba Airport. 40% of the world’s population can reach the Trojena project within six hours of its location by air.
Cold Climate
The Trojena project area is characterized by a cold climate, with temperatures dropping below zero in the winter.
Other times of the year, temperatures are 10 degrees cooler than in the rest of the Kingdom. Therefore, construction and building activities in the project adhere to the principles of ecotourism, minimizing activities that harm the ecosystem, and achieving sustainability.
Trojena Project objectives
The Trojena project will contribute to stimulating economic growth, transforming the mountainous region into a global, environmentally friendly tourist destination, preserving, utilizing, and developing natural resources, diversifying sources of income, and enhancing the Kingdom’s economic prosperity.
By 2030, the project will provide more than 10,000 jobs, add SAR 3 billion to the GDP, and build 2,200 housing units, along with 3,600 five- and four-star hotel rooms, apartments, and treatment rooms. It will attract more than 700,000 tourists and approximately 7,000 residents of Trojena and the surrounding residential areas.
Trojena Project Sections
Trojena will feature six entertainment options: “The Gateway,” called “The Vault,” the main gateway to the Trojena project.
This village is built vertically within the mountains and includes a digital center, a technology and media space, a conference hall, and a virtual reality experience that allows visitors to travel to new worlds.
“Discovery,” a state-of-the-art observatory located south of “The Vault,” allows visitors to observe the stars and galaxies.
“The Valley,” a freshwater lake designed at the top of the mountain, will include events, water sports, and outdoor activities.
“Explore,” a wildlife sanctuary, home to rare wildlife and distinctive geological features.
Recreational options will also include “Relax,” a program that includes activities focused on health and activity, providing opportunities for care and treatment.
“Al Marah” is a ski village at an altitude of 2,400 meters, featuring its own slopes and trails.
Trojena Project Activities
The Trojena Project will offer year-round events and festivals, distributed over several seasons, depending on the weather conditions:
The Adventure Season, featuring mountain biking, climbing, paragliding, and triathlons; the Lake Season, featuring a food festival, cultural week, art exhibitions, and light shows;
The Wellness and Rejuvenation Season, featuring a yoga resort; and the Winter Season, featuring artificial ice skating, approximately 30 kilometers of slopes, in addition to sports, arts, music, and cultural activities.
The project will include landmarks such as “The Bow,” a building beneath the lake that will host weddings, concerts, and conferences. It will also include a five-star hotel, luxury residences, and restaurants.
The “Ultra-Luxury Palaces,” a collection of palaces of varying designs located in prime locations, and “Slope Residences,” a residential complex near the ski village overlooking the lake.
Trojena Wins the Bid to Host the 2029 Asian Winter Games
In October 2022, at the conclusion of the 41st General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held in Cambodia, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced that Trojena, the global mountain tourism destination in NEOM, had won the bid to host the 9th Asian Winter Games in 2029, making it the first city in West Asia to do so. This announcement came after the city had announced its intention to host the Games in early August 2022.
