NEOM Unveils 'Magna' Global Project on Gulf of Aqaba Featuring 12 Luxury Tourism Destinations

Magna is situated on the stunning Gulf of Aqaba coastline. (NEOM)
Magna is situated on the stunning Gulf of Aqaba coastline. (NEOM)
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NEOM Unveils 'Magna' Global Project on Gulf of Aqaba Featuring 12 Luxury Tourism Destinations

Magna is situated on the stunning Gulf of Aqaba coastline. (NEOM)
Magna is situated on the stunning Gulf of Aqaba coastline. (NEOM)

The Board of Directors of NEOM revealed the development of Magna, its luxury lifestyle coastal destination.

Part of NEOM's regional sustainable tourism portfolio, Magna is situated on the stunning Gulf of Aqaba coastline and comprises the recently announced premier destinations of Leyja, Epicon, Siranna, Utamo, Norlana, Aquellum, Zardun, Xaynor, Elanan, Gidori, Treyam, and Jaumur, said NEOM in a statement on Wednesday.

The twelve destinations will span 120 kilometers and are poised to set a new global standard in luxury sustainable tourism. As the physical embodiment of the ambitious and future-focused Saudi Vision 2030, Magna will be developed with a core focus on cutting-edge technology, world-class architecture, and ultra-modern amenities that seamlessly merge with nature.

Each destination is individually unique, with its own distinct offering for residents and guests, yet they will seamlessly blend to form a unified destination. They will be woven together by the conservation, preservation, and rejuvenation of native flora, fauna, and the breathtaking natural landscape.

The development will boast 15 luxury hotels, 1,600 hotel rooms, suites and apartments, and over 2,500 premium residences across its destinations.

Chief Executive Officer of NEOM Nadhmi Al-Nasr said: “NEOM's premier coastal region of Magna is a treasure of tomorrow, steeped in natural beauty and advanced technology. Aligned with our three pillars of redefining business, conservation, and livability, Magna will play a key role in building a strong tourism ecosystem within NEOM.”

“Importantly, Magna will contribute positively to the national economic diversification efforts and to the broader Saudi Vision 2030 goals, helping to position the Kingdom as a global leader in luxury tourism,” he added.

In line with Vision 2030, Magna and its destinations will stimulate the Kingdom's economy by creating 15,000 jobs across the tourism, leisure, and hospitality sectors. The development is projected to contribute SAR 2.6 billion to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030, accommodate 14,500 residents, and welcome more than 300,000 overnight visitors annually.

Magna presents an unprecedented opportunity for investors and developers to be part of one of the world's most pioneering projects, with sustainability embedded in every stage from design to construction and long-term maintenance.

Magna is NEOM's newest region within the evolving giga-project development in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, following Sindalah, THE LINE, Trojena, and Oxagon.



ExxonMobil Launches 'Promising' Exploration Well Off Cyprus

The Wolf Moon is shown over the capital Nicosia in the southeast island of Cyprus, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
The Wolf Moon is shown over the capital Nicosia in the southeast island of Cyprus, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
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ExxonMobil Launches 'Promising' Exploration Well Off Cyprus

The Wolf Moon is shown over the capital Nicosia in the southeast island of Cyprus, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
The Wolf Moon is shown over the capital Nicosia in the southeast island of Cyprus, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

ExxonMobil and Qatar Energy on Friday began exploratory drilling for natural gas in a prospect west of Cyprus, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on X.
The east Mediterranean has yielded some major gas discoveries in recent years, and a disruption in energy supplies from Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine has sharpened Europe's attention on securing alternative sources of supply.
"Cyprus progresses exploration activities, aiming to be an alternative and reliable source of natural gas for the EU," Christodoulides wrote in his post.
According to Reuters, he said drilling at the prospect, named Electra, got underway on Friday morning.
ExxonMobil executives have previously described Electra as 'highly promising'.
The company secured hydrocarbon exploration licenses for Cyprus in 2017. Other multinationals in the region include US's Chevron (CVX.N), opens new tab, Italy's Eni (ENI.MI), opens new tab and France's TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA).
Cyprus has made modest finds offshore compared to sizeable discoveries by neighbors Egypt and Israel. It has not yet put any gas into production.
The Mediterranean island nation is divided with the internationally-recognized government in the south and a breakaway Türkiye-backed administration in the north.
Cyprus's drilling activities are being closely monitored by Ankara, a Turkish defense ministry official said. The area being drilled lies outside continental shelf boundaries declared by Türkiye, they added.
Cyprus and Türkiye do not have diplomatic relations, and past exploration efforts have exposed disputes and overlapping claims.