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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
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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
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
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Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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