RIYADH: Just outside Riyadh, Aquarabia is being developed as a culture-led entertainment destination that reflects a wider shift in Saudi Arabia’s leisure and tourism sector. Rather than importing global water park models, the project is built around Saudi identity as its core design and commercial foundation.
Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector is expanding rapidly. In 2024, the Kingdom recorded more than 76.9 million visits to entertainment destinations across more than 400 venues and events. Flagship activations such as Riyadh Season alone attracted more than 19 million visitors, underscoring strong demand for large-scale domestic leisure experiences. The sector is now one of the fastest-growing parts of the non-oil economy.
Within this expanding sector, Aquarabia is designed to stand out by making Saudi identity its core product rather than its backdrop. Instead of importing global water park concepts, it builds its commercial and creative value around local landscape, heritage and storytelling to create a destination that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
“From the very beginning, we asked ourselves a simple but important question: What would a water theme park look like if it could only have been born here, in Saudi Arabia?” President of Aquarabia Brian Machamer told Arab News. “That question guided every decision we made; from the shape of the rock formations to the names of the rides, the food on the menus, and the creatures you encounter at every turn.”
At its core, Aquarabia is structured around an ancient desert oasis narrative. This is not decorative storytelling but a framework that shapes layout, attractions and visitor flow across the park.
“That origin story is not just a marketing concept; it is the soul of the place,” Machamer said. “When you walk through Aquarabia, you are walking through a landscape that feels like it was carved by the same forces that shaped Saudi Arabia itself; the wadis, canyon walls, grottos and cliffs all reflect that idea.”
This design approach also supports the commercial model. In themed entertainment, immersion drives dwell time, and dwell time drives revenue. The more cohesive the environment, the more likely visitors are to move across rides, dining and retail rather than treating them as separate purchases. Aquarabia is built as a single integrated ecosystem where experience and spending are linked.
Set within Qiddiya City, Aquarabia also plays a role in Saudi Arabia’s wider push to develop a domestic and international tourism economy. It sits alongside other giga-projects designed to diversify revenue streams and expand the Kingdom’s entertainment infrastructure.
What differentiates Aquarabia is how directly cultural identity is tied to its physical and commercial structure. The design avoids imported fantasy themes and instead draws from Saudi heritage, landscape and wildlife.
Animals function as narrative and spatial anchors. A horse marks the entry plaza, symbolising heritage and continuity. Camel Rock rises 80 meters at the center of the park, with water flowing from its structure, representing endurance and life in the desert. The Arabian red fox drives the energy of a key water zone, linking movement and terrain to native wildlife.
Even the central character, Amal the mermaid, is built from cultural reference points. Her design incorporates elements of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri patterns, an ancient, UNESCO-recognized traditional Saudi art form created by women in the south of the Kingdom. She functions as a narrative bridge between heritage and visitor experience rather than a standalone mascot.
“We felt very strongly that Aquarabia should not look or feel like something that could have been built anywhere else on Earth,” Machamer said. “What the world did not have was a water theme park that genuinely celebrates Saudi Arabia; its landscapes, its wildlife, its stories, its heritage.”
“Our commitment is to heritage, to people, and to the land,” Machamer said, noting that design decisions were shaped by environmental and cultural considerations as much as commercial goals.
As Saudi Arabia expands its entertainment sector, Aquarabia reflects a shift toward experience-driven development where culture is not an add-on but the foundation of value creation.
When it opens on April 23, 2026, Aquarabia will add a major attraction to Qiddiya City and mark another step in how the Kingdom is building, packaging and monetizing its entertainment economy.
One visitor, Ali Al-Ardhi, described his experience at the park: “I entered the place feeling happy. The atmosphere is exciting and the park is beautifully organized. I tried many rides, including the free-fall slides, which drop extremely fast and feel intense, the tube slides with twisting turns that make you feel lost, and the multi-racer slides where you compete with your friends to reach first. The wave pool feels like a real sea, while the lazy river is relaxing and perfect after all the excitement.
“The kids’ area is full of water games and activities, and the raft rides are fast and full of energy, with groups going down together. The place is clean, very well organized, and you can easily spend a full day there,” Al-Ardhi said.
Guzel Nasyrova, a Russian visiting with her son and sister, said: “I am here with my family today. It is my second time here. I like Aquarabia for many reasons; it is very family-friendly. There are many kid areas that are open, safe and well-designed. I like the style of the park because it represents local flora and fauna. My son is amazed by the animal sculptures. It is very visually engaging.
“I also like the people here. The crowd is respectful, the atmosphere is calm, and people respect each other. It feels very comfortable to be here,” Nasyrova said.
