Qatar Joins Middle East’s Theme Park Frenzy With $5.5 Billion Project


Skift Take

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are all pushing ahead with theme park projects.

Despite the scorching heat, countries in the Middle East are continuing to build theme parks. Qatar is the latest, greenlighting a $5.5 billion project 40 minutes north of the capital Doha.

It's called Simaisma and it's been built by a state-owned company, Qatari Diar, appointed by the government. With a theme park at its core, the project will span eight million square meters (1,976 acres) along seven kilometers of beachfront land. The development is also set to include an 18-hole golf course surrounded by 300 villas, hotels, a marina and beach club, as well as homes a