What is Trojena
Trojena is born as a futuristic city in the heart of the Tabuk desert. The project, which is being developed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is estimated to cost $500 billion and is expected to be completed in 2029. To give you an idea of the investment and for comparison, Argentina’s gross public debt is around $410 billion.
The master plan was designed by LAVA, which has also designed the tunnel-shaped development described as a “futuristic bent-vertical village” in the Gateway district:
Set to open in 2026, Trojena will be home to people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for sustainable and prosperous living. From bespoke designs to innovative and personalised experiences, Trojena will create a new benchmark for mountain resort living.
Journeys to Trojena will begin in The Vault, a futuristic vertical village nestled within the mountains where, according to the developers, architecture and advanced technology “integrates reality with the virtual world”.
The city will be built with the latest technology and designed to be sustainable. Renewable energy will be used to generate electricity and measures will be implemented to reduce water consumption.
It will become a global city, attracting tourists, investors and workers from all over the world. The project is an example of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become an economic and cultural powerhouse.
NEOM, similar in size to Belgium, includes Trojena as a destination where you can visit up to 6 different districts: Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun.
The 6 Trojena districts
GATEWAY DISTRICT
FUN DISTRICT
It is advertised as a place for professional and amateur skiers to hit the slopes, with runs of varying difficulty. For apre ski vibes, there will be a mountain village where visitors can find shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. Skiers and snowboarders will be able to cross the mountain range and enjoy views of the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, the Red Sea and the distant desert dunes.
In addition to winter sports, Trojena will have a nature reserve, hiking trails, mountain biking trails and water sports taking place in an extensive reservoir.
And yes, there is a controversy about the snow in this area, so I add this video to show you that skiing is not only practised on snowy terrain, but also on artificial ones. Here you can see a small extract of a test:
Visitors will be able to check into ultra-luxury wellness resorts and high-end family-friendly hotels, including The Bow Hotel, which is said to be “an architectural masterpiece”. But the destination won’t just be for tourists. It will also be one of Neom’s coolest places to live, with more than 7,000 permanent residents expected to make it their home by 2030.
RELAX DISTRICT
With a focus on peace and tranquillity, the relaxation district has programmes and therapies as well as a lifestyle complex that seems to move into the valley district.
VALLEY DISTRICT
The valley area, too, will possibly be one of the most attractive, especially because of its construction of a 3-kilometre long artificial lake where the water village and the lake village, living areas near the lake itself, will be created on its shores for concerts, art and various events. The artificial lake was designed by bureau^proberts , while Zaha Hadid Architects “came up with other design elements”.
EXPLORE DISTRICT
DISCOVER DISTRICT
Expectations for 2030
- 700.000 tourists per year
- 242.000 m2 of shops and restaurants
- 7000 residents
- 2883 flats, villas and golf villas
- 3,620 hotel rooms with special treatment, expertise and high hospitality with 5 and 4 star divisions (they currently have more than
- 12 hotels under construction), π₯ As an interesting fact, did you know that one of the builders of hotels in the area of “The Bow” is Marriott International and will build two W hotels? Surely you are familiar with this as we have a W Hotel on the coast of Barcelona. π₯
- Β More than 3000 seats in its own amphitheatre with its more than 100 activities and events throughout the year7. A lower climate compared to the rest of the region, ensuring at least 3 months of skiing per year with at least 36km of skiing8. A mountainous region of over 1400km2.
Although I have tried, the project offers little or limited information given the characteristics of the project but I have been able to find an image from a few months ago in the area where what you are seeing is the settlement of the contractors for the project as well as some progress in the construction.
I would also like to share with my subscribers this video recently uploaded by the company in which they talk about the heritage and the inspiring culture for the project:o.
Trojena selected for Asian Winter Games 2029
“With the unstinting support of the Saudi leadership and & His Royal Highness the Crown Prince from the sports sector, we are proud to announce that we have won the bid to host the AWG TROJENA2029 as the first country in West Asia,” Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal said on Twitter.
The country has been awarded this year’s World Combat Games, the Asian Martial Arts and Indoor Games 2025 and the Asian Games 2034, and has also hosted numerous professional boxing matches and a Formula One Grand Prix.
