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NEWS
National Geographic's Ocean Odyssey expanding into Saudi Arabia
POSTED 06 Apr 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh
National Geographic is expanding the visitor attraction side of its business into the Middle East, announcing plans to develop up to 10 new locations across Saudi Arabia.

Working in partnership with Saudi investment firm KBW Ventures and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, National Geographic’s Ocean Odyssey will open at different locations across the Kingdom, offering an immersive walk-through adventure telling the story of the world’s oceans.

National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on.

The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh. National Geographic will be working with designers Falcon’s Creative, Pixomondo – the visual effects team behind Game of Thrones – and Grammy Award-winning composer David Kahne, to produce the visitor experience.

During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans. Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders. Environment will be a strong theme, with visitors given the opportunity to take an individual pledge for ocean conservation, a pledge they can then share through social media.

“National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 130 years through groundbreaking storytelling from the best scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers in the world,” said Rosa Zeegers, executive vice president of Consumer Products and Experiences at National Geographic.

“Encounter has been wildly successful, and has proven to be a powerful new storytelling platform for us that perfectly embodies our passionate belief in entertainment with purpose and is a natural extension of our brand. These expansion plans are very exciting, and we’re looking forward to delivering this one-of-a-kind experience to the Middle East.”

Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan – which like much of the Middle East is aiming to reduce reliance on oil – includes a relaxation of the rules on its entertainment sector in an area which traditionally has been ultra-conservative, with particularly harsh laws in relation to women. By 2030, Saudi Arabia wants to have more than 450 clubs providing a variety of cultural activities and events, with the aim of doubling household spending on recreation to 6 percent.
National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on
During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans
Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders
RELATED STORIES
  Immersive National Geographic experience coming to Times Square


National Geographic is bringing its first ever branded immersive entertainment centre to New York’s Times Square after signing a 15-year deal with real estate developer Kushner Properties.
MORE NEWS
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
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Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
Tulah Clinical Wellness, a holistic wellness destination, has officially opened in the hills of northern Kerala, India.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai creates Global Wellness Day programme rooted in nature
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
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NEWS
National Geographic's Ocean Odyssey expanding into Saudi Arabia
POSTED 06 Apr 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh
National Geographic is expanding the visitor attraction side of its business into the Middle East, announcing plans to develop up to 10 new locations across Saudi Arabia.

Working in partnership with Saudi investment firm KBW Ventures and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, National Geographic’s Ocean Odyssey will open at different locations across the Kingdom, offering an immersive walk-through adventure telling the story of the world’s oceans.

National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on.

The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh. National Geographic will be working with designers Falcon’s Creative, Pixomondo – the visual effects team behind Game of Thrones – and Grammy Award-winning composer David Kahne, to produce the visitor experience.

During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans. Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders. Environment will be a strong theme, with visitors given the opportunity to take an individual pledge for ocean conservation, a pledge they can then share through social media.

“National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 130 years through groundbreaking storytelling from the best scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers in the world,” said Rosa Zeegers, executive vice president of Consumer Products and Experiences at National Geographic.

“Encounter has been wildly successful, and has proven to be a powerful new storytelling platform for us that perfectly embodies our passionate belief in entertainment with purpose and is a natural extension of our brand. These expansion plans are very exciting, and we’re looking forward to delivering this one-of-a-kind experience to the Middle East.”

Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan – which like much of the Middle East is aiming to reduce reliance on oil – includes a relaxation of the rules on its entertainment sector in an area which traditionally has been ultra-conservative, with particularly harsh laws in relation to women. By 2030, Saudi Arabia wants to have more than 450 clubs providing a variety of cultural activities and events, with the aim of doubling household spending on recreation to 6 percent.
National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on
During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans
Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders
RELATED STORIES
Immersive National Geographic experience coming to Times Square


National Geographic is bringing its first ever branded immersive entertainment centre to New York’s Times Square after signing a 15-year deal with real estate developer Kushner Properties.
MORE NEWS
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
Tulah Clinical Wellness, a holistic wellness destination, has officially opened in the hills of northern Kerala, India.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai creates Global Wellness Day programme rooted in nature
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day (GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
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Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
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Endospheres' new protocols are designed to meet real client needs
Spa professionals see it every day: clients are arriving with more complex expectations. [more...]

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Life Fitness/Hammer Strength

Life Fitness / Hammer Strength works with some of the world’s most recognised hospitality brands, su [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS