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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
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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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
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI- powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity- focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and 2029.
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa.
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
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Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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