Thursday, July 23, 2026

Al Jazeera - SPA:

Qiddiya City has obtained accreditation from the Destination Marketing and Management Evaluation Program with distinction from the World Destinations Organization, the largest and most prominent global body specializing in supporting tourism destination organizations, making it one of a limited elite of global destinations that have attained the highest evaluation grades in this prestigious international program.

Qiddiya City is considered the first destination management organization in the Middle East to obtain accreditation from the Destination Marketing and Management Evaluation Program with distinction, and the second organization in the region to obtain program accreditation overall; this reflects its commitment to setting new standards for excellence in destination development and management. This classification is awarded to entities that exceed accreditation requirements to embody institutional excellence in all their operations, and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to developing the destination they serve and enhancing its long-term position.

Among about 200 organizations worldwide that obtained program accreditation, less than 20% of them received the accreditation with distinction classification, which is the highest level the program awards to entities that exceed all required criteria without recording any areas needing improvement.

The CEO of Marketing and Destination Management at Qiddiya Investment Company, Mohammed Basrawi, considered the accreditation a strong message to the global tourism community that Qiddiya City is being built according to the highest international standards. He said: 'This recognition affirms our commitment to operational excellence in all aspects of destination management, and our belief that the philosophy of the power of play has the ability to create a positive and transformative impact on the lives of individuals and communities.'

In turn, the CEO of the World Destinations Organization, Don Welsh, said: 'We are pleased that Qiddiya City has joined our distinguished group of accredited organizations. This achievement embodies the quality and performance standards we look for in destination organizations. Qiddiya City is a valuable member of the World Destinations Organization and the community of our program of prestigious destinations.'

The Destination Marketing and Management Evaluation Program is an independent global framework for excellence, defining best practices and benchmarks in areas of governance, financial management, operational processes, human resources, technology, visitor services, sales, brand management, destination development, and partnership building.

Qiddiya City is one of the most prominent integrated global destinations, being developed by Qiddiya Investment Company on an area of 360 square kilometers, 45 kilometers west of the capital Riyadh. The city is launched under an ambitious vision led by the Public Investment Fund, to establish its presence as one of the most ambitious destination development projects in the world, and a pivotal pillar in achieving the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi Political Analysis

Qiddiya City is based on the philosophy of 'the power of play,' stemming from a firm belief that play is an innate human instinct that nurtures creativity, enhances well-being, contributes to building communities, and drives economic growth. Based on this vision, the city is designed to be an integrated living destination where play becomes an intrinsic part of daily life, offering exceptional experiences for all visitors.

Qiddiya City has actually begun receiving visitors by the end of 2025 through a range of its leading destinations. Six Flags Qiddiya park opened its doors to guests with entertainment experiences and world-class rides attracting visitors from across the Kingdom and the region, while 'Aquarabia,' the largest water city in the Kingdom, offers an integrated family entertainment destination year-round. Additionally, 'Play Makers Studios' stands out as the first fully integrated film production center in the Kingdom, designed to serve film and television productions at the regional and global levels.

Qiddiya City continues to develop a system of prominent destinations and landmarks, led by the National Tennis Center, the largest facility dedicated to this sport in the region, an 18-hole golf course designed by golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, a speed track dedicated to motorsports, as well as Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, which will be one of the host stadiums for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The list of landmarks extends to include the Performing Arts Center, the world's first-of-its-kind gaming and esports area, and the horse racing track that will host the Saudi Cup championship in the future.

Qiddiya City is being built as an integrated urban destination that provides a sustainable living environment for residents and visitors alike; it will include hotels, residential neighborhoods, a modern transportation network connecting it to central Riyadh, shopping and dining areas, gardens and open spaces, in addition to integrated civil infrastructure befitting its global status.

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