Saudi Arabia launches multi-billion dollar resort

Groundbreaking: King Salman (middle) placing an illuminated baton in an installation showing the logo for Qiddiya, an entertainment city spanning 334 sq km that would include high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and a safari park during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site. — AFP

QIDDIYA (SAUDI ARABIA): Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday of a vast entertainment resort that is at the heart of an ambitious strategy to open the economy and ease social restrictions.

Qiddiya, about an hour’s drive from Riyadh, is being built on a 334-sq km (8,400-acre) site, making it 2½ times the size of Disney World.