Saudi Arabia plans to open the first region of its NEOM megacity by the end of the year. The island of Sindalah will provide the first physical glimpse into the ambitious desert project, which has reportedly been scaled back from its initial plans due to financial struggles. Developers say they want the island to be an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea," adding that they planned to cater to luxury clientele and the global yachting community.

NEOM City is shifting gears from words and videos to actions and tangible proof. The latest revelation came on X (Twitter), where images showed the progress made by Spanish companies on THE LINE’s high-speed railway called ‘The Spine.’ According to the post shared on social media, the firms have completed 25% of the work on one of the tunnels in The Spine, which is a cool 8.7 km long. This space will be utilized by high-speed trains, transport vehicles, and freight trains, serving as the link between THE LINE and an industrial port called OXAGON.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), in partnership with NEOM, has launched the first nursery of the KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative (KCRI).  According to a recent press release, KCRI represents the world's largest coral restoration project and is already operational with a second facility underway, both situated in the Red Sea.  This initiative, funded by KAUST — a top-tier graduate research university acclaimed as the number one Arab University by Times Higher Education — features a cutting-edge nursery on the coast of NEOM in northwest Saudi Arabia.

Marriott International has signed a deal with NEOM to introduce its second Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabi at the TROJENA development. Positioned as a hub for mountain tourism, TROJENA is part of Saudi Arabia’s US$500 billion NEOM project. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand includes select destinations located in natural landscapes to promote immersive experiences.

THE LINE’s railway route called The Spine is a marvel that, when ready, will run the length of 170 km covering a large expanse from the Red Sea coast inland towards Tabuk. Fascinatingly, the vast distance of THE LINE (170 km), has been claimed by the makers of NEOM City to be covered in only 20 minutes from end-to-end.

The event was organized in partnership with the Belt and Road Office under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.  The roadshow for NEOM traveled from Beijing to Shanghai to Hong Kong, where potential investors flocked to a chic museum to peruse eye-popping renderings in various stages of development.  A series of presentations by the NEOM leadership team led the event agenda, showcasing the progress and milestones of NEOM to date, as well as the partnership and investment opportunities available to the audience, according to an official press release.

Mei Wang marveled at the sandstone vistas, lush palm trees, ancient tombs and five-star resorts. These images beckoned to the 30-year-old entrepreneur as she watched Divas Hit the Road, a Chinese travel show. So she set out with her mother, flying from Guangzhou to the ancient oasis town of AlUla in Saudi Arabia. In Arabic, AlUla means “glory,” and the kingdom ­envisions a lot for this historical region, which is the size of New Jersey. It will become one of the world’s great tourist attractions—in the words of Melanie de Souza, AlUla’s top marketing official, a destination for “luxe seekers, wanderlust nomads, intrepid voyagers and silver foxes.”

Tabuk Agricultural Development Co. has signed a (non-binding) memorandum of understanding with TOPIAN Limited Company, (NEOM's Food Company) for cooperating to plan, develop, construct, and operate hydroponic greenhouse for the production of fruits and vegetables in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.