Saudi Arabia plans to reveal Ad Diriyah masterplan soon: CEO

The masterplan for Ad Diriyah, a megaproject aimed to boost tourism in Saudi Arabia, will be announced by Crown Prince  Mohammed bin Salman within the “next few months,” Arab News reported, citing Gerard “Jerry” Inzerillo, chief executive of Ad Diriyah Gate Development Authority.

“The crown prince will announce the masterplan in the next few months. It’s bold and exciting. Nowhere in the world has the level of authenticity, the authentic mud that At-Turaif has," he said.

Inzerillo disclosed that "several assets" will open next year followed by the opening of major restaurants, retail outlets and hotels in 2020.

The Ad Diriyah project will include museums, academic institutions, “edutainment” facilities, 11 hotels, several hundred shops and 100 restaurants, overlooking the Wadi Hanifah valley in Najd, the report said.

According to Inzerillo, everything that will be built around the historical sites of At-Turaif and Ad Diriyah will be made of mud and in keeping with the architecture of Saudi Arabia’s central Najd region.