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.



Gold Rallies to Record High on US Rate Cut Optimism

FILE PHOTO: A saleswoman displays a gold necklace inside a jewellery showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Kolkata, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A saleswoman displays a gold necklace inside a jewellery showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Kolkata, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File Photo/File Photo
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Gold Rallies to Record High on US Rate Cut Optimism

FILE PHOTO: A saleswoman displays a gold necklace inside a jewellery showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Kolkata, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A saleswoman displays a gold necklace inside a jewellery showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Kolkata, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File Photo/File Photo

Gold prices soared to an all-time high on Friday as the dollar weakened amid prospects of super-sized reduction in US interest rates next week, while palladium has gained over 15% so far this week.
Spot gold was up hitting a record 0.3% at $2,567.23 per ounce by 0703 GMT, after high of $2,570.21 earlier in the session. Bullion has gained about 3% for the week so far, Reuters reported.
US gold futures rose 0.6% to $2,595.10.
The dollar fell to a one-week low on Friday, making greenback-priced gold less expensive for other currency holders, with investors on tenterhooks around uncertainty of a 25 or 50 basis point US rate cut next week.
"Regardless of the size of the initial Federal Reserve rate cut, we look to be on the verge of a potentially long and frequent easing cycle, which is a scenario that bodes well for assets such as gold, which are non-yielding," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
The International Monetary Fund said it was appropriate for the Fed to begin a long-awaited monetary easing cycle at its meeting next week as upside risks to inflation have subsided.
Traders see a 41% chance of a 50-bp reduction and 59% odds of a 25 bp cut.
Investors will scan the US consumer sentiment (preliminary) data, due later in the day, for further clues on rate outlook.
ANZ commodity strategist Soni Kumari said "we are seeing (gold) prices can go to $2,600 in the short term, given the price momentum is looking quite strong right now."
Spot silver rose 0.3% to $30.01 and platinum gained 0.7% to $983.95. Both metals are headed for weekly gains.
Palladium climbed 0.4% to $1,050.50 and was headed for its best week since December 2023, fueled by export curb concerns.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow should consider limiting exports of uranium, titanium and nickel in retaliation against the West.