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NEOM Announces ‘Epicon’ Luxury Coastal Tourism Destination on Gulf of Aqaba

Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon aims to set a new standard of hospitality and architecture. (SPA)
Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon aims to set a new standard of hospitality and architecture. (SPA)
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NEOM Announces ‘Epicon’ Luxury Coastal Tourism Destination on Gulf of Aqaba

Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon aims to set a new standard of hospitality and architecture. (SPA)
Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon aims to set a new standard of hospitality and architecture. (SPA)

The Board of Directors of NEOM, the sustainable regional development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, announced on Wednesday Epicon, its latest luxury coastal tourism destination, including a residential offering.

Located on the Gulf of Aqaba, Epicon aims to set a new standard of hospitality and architecture. Rising from NEOM’s desert landscape like a glistening mirage, the property will feature two striking towers, one 225 meters tall and one reaching 275 meters.

The towers will be home to an ultra-premium 41 key hotel and luxury residences comprised of 14 suites and apartments. A short distance from the hotel is the Epicon resort, which blends tranquility with indulgence and features 120 rooms and 45 stunning residential beach villas.

Designed as a gateway to the future, Epicon provides an opportunity to escape the stresses of everyday life. Whether relaxing at the beach club, visiting the spa for bespoke wellness treatments, exploring the surrounding nature, participating in one of the many watersports on offer, or dining at destination restaurants for an unforgettable culinary experience, Epicon has been conceived to meet the full array of guest and resident needs.

A highly attractive visitor destination and an optimum place to live and thrive, Epicon’s guests and residents can expect a truly immersive and life-affirming experience. The luxurious residences and beach villas aim to deliver new levels of livability through cutting-edge innovations, world-class services and first-class experiences, positioning the resort as a benchmark for iconic living.

Guests and residents of Epicon will enjoy unrestricted access to world-class facilities, complemented by views of one of the most desirable shorelines in NEOM. Amenities include a state-of-the-art gym, library, workspaces, pools and lounges.

News of Epicon follows the recent announcement of Leyja, NEOM’s sustainable tourism destination set within a magnificent natural valley. The extensive range of experiences and activities offered in Epicon and Leyja will strengthen and enrich the NEOM ecotourism offering, aligned with the broader objectives of the Kingdom.

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IATA: Air Cargo Demand Up 2.2% Despite Trade Disruptions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 
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IATA: Air Cargo Demand Up 2.2% Despite Trade Disruptions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) logo is seen at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch 

Total air cargo demand, measured in cargo ton-kilometers (CTK), rose by 2.2% compared to May 2024 levels, up 3.0% for international operations, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Also, capacity, measured in available cargo ton-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 2% compared to May 2024, up 2.6% for international operations.

The Association said several factors in the operating environment should be noted, including year-on-year world industrial production, which rose 2.6% in April 2025.

Meanwhile, air cargo volumes grew 6.8% over the same period, outpacing global goods trade growth of 3.8%.

IATA said jet fuel prices in May 2025 were 18.8% lower than the previous year and 4.3% below the previous month.

It noted that global manufacturing contracted in May, with the PMI falling to 49.1, below the 50 mark that signals growth.

New export orders also remained in negative territory at 48, reflecting pressure from recent US trade policy changes, the Association revealed.

Global manufacturing output, measured by the PMI, dropped below the 50 threshold to 49.1 in May, for the first time in 2025.

This, IATA said, was a 6.9% year-on-year decrease and a 2.8% drop compared to April 2025, indicating a slight weakening in global manufacturing production compared to April 2025.

Meanwhile, output declined in May, new export orders grew 1.6 index points from April, to 48. New export orders have been directly affected by the US trade policy changes, which have reshaped global demand dynamics and impacted trade flows.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said the rise of cargo demand globally by 2.2% in May is encouraging news as a 10.7% drop in traffic on the Asia to North America trade lane illustrated the dampening effect of shifting US trade policies.

“Even as these policies evolve, already we can see the air cargo sector’s well-tested resilience helping shippers to accommodate supply chain needs to flexibly hold back, re-route or accelerate deliveries,” he said.

Meanwhile, carriers in the Middle East continued to build momentum, expanding for the second consecutive month. The region recorded a 3.6% year-on-year rise and capacity increased by 4.2%.

Asia Pacific posted the strongest growth, up 8.3% year-on-year while capacity increased by 5.7%.

In return, North American carriers saw a -5.8% year-on-year decrease in growth for air cargo in May, the slowest growth of all regions. Capacity decreased by -3.2%.

European carriers saw 1.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 1.5%.

Also, Latin American carriers saw a 3.1% year-on-year increase in demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 3.5%.

As for African airlines, they saw a 2.1% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in May. Capacity increased by 2.7%.

Trade Lane Growth

A significant decrease in the Asia-North America trade lane was expected and realized as the effect of front-loading faded and changes to the de-minimis exemption on small package shipments were enforced.

As cargo flows reorganized, several route areas responded with surprising growth, IATA said.