NEWS
National Geographic's Ocean Odyssey expanding into Saudi Arabia
POSTED 06 Apr 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh
National Geographic is expanding the visitor attraction side of its business into the Middle East, announcing plans to develop up to 10 new locations across Saudi Arabia.

Working in partnership with Saudi investment firm KBW Ventures and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, National Geographic’s Ocean Odyssey will open at different locations across the Kingdom, offering an immersive walk-through adventure telling the story of the world’s oceans.

National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on.

The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh. National Geographic will be working with designers Falcon’s Creative, Pixomondo – the visual effects team behind Game of Thrones – and Grammy Award-winning composer David Kahne, to produce the visitor experience.

During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans. Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders. Environment will be a strong theme, with visitors given the opportunity to take an individual pledge for ocean conservation, a pledge they can then share through social media.

“National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 130 years through groundbreaking storytelling from the best scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers in the world,” said Rosa Zeegers, executive vice president of Consumer Products and Experiences at National Geographic.

“Encounter has been wildly successful, and has proven to be a powerful new storytelling platform for us that perfectly embodies our passionate belief in entertainment with purpose and is a natural extension of our brand. These expansion plans are very exciting, and we’re looking forward to delivering this one-of-a-kind experience to the Middle East.”

Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan – which like much of the Middle East is aiming to reduce reliance on oil – includes a relaxation of the rules on its entertainment sector in an area which traditionally has been ultra-conservative, with particularly harsh laws in relation to women. By 2030, Saudi Arabia wants to have more than 450 clubs providing a variety of cultural activities and events, with the aim of doubling household spending on recreation to 6 percent.
National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on
During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans
Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders
RELATED STORIES
  Immersive National Geographic experience coming to Times Square


National Geographic is bringing its first ever branded immersive entertainment centre to New York’s Times Square after signing a 15-year deal with real estate developer Kushner Properties.
 


CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
Leisure Management - National Geographic's Ocean Odyssey expanding into Saudi Arabia...
09 Jun 2026 Leisure Management: daily news and jobs
 
 
HOME
JOBS
NEWS
FEATURES
PRODUCTS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT SUBSCRIPTION
ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
Sign up for FREE ezine
Latest news

06 Apr 2018

National Geographic's Ocean Odyssey expanding into Saudi Arabia
BY Tom Anstey

The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh

The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh

National Geographic is expanding the visitor attraction side of its business into the Middle East, announcing plans to develop up to 10 new locations across Saudi Arabia.

Working in partnership with Saudi investment firm KBW Ventures and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, National Geographic’s Ocean Odyssey will open at different locations across the Kingdom, offering an immersive walk-through adventure telling the story of the world’s oceans.

National Geographic has enjoyed success with the recent launch of its Times Square attraction in New York City, which the Saudi attractions will be based on.

The first Ocean Odyssey attractions has a tentative launch date set for 2019, with the experience coming first to the city of Riyadh. National Geographic will be working with designers Falcon’s Creative, Pixomondo – the visual effects team behind Game of Thrones – and Grammy Award-winning composer David Kahne, to produce the visitor experience.

During the experience, visitors will hear from National Geographic photographers and deep-sea explorers, who will share their stories about the world’s oceans. Exhibits will include interactivity, with gaming challenges including cleaning up the ocean and playing with holograms of the sea’s greatest wonders. Environment will be a strong theme, with visitors given the opportunity to take an individual pledge for ocean conservation, a pledge they can then share through social media.

“National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 130 years through groundbreaking storytelling from the best scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers in the world,” said Rosa Zeegers, executive vice president of Consumer Products and Experiences at National Geographic.

“Encounter has been wildly successful, and has proven to be a powerful new storytelling platform for us that perfectly embodies our passionate belief in entertainment with purpose and is a natural extension of our brand. These expansion plans are very exciting, and we’re looking forward to delivering this one-of-a-kind experience to the Middle East.”

Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan – which like much of the Middle East is aiming to reduce reliance on oil – includes a relaxation of the rules on its entertainment sector in an area which traditionally has been ultra-conservative, with particularly harsh laws in relation to women. By 2030, Saudi Arabia wants to have more than 450 clubs providing a variety of cultural activities and events, with the aim of doubling household spending on recreation to 6 percent.



Connect with
Leisure Management
Magazine:
View issue contents
Sign up:
Instant Alerts/zines

Print edition
 

News headlines
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen   09 Jun 2026

Hoshino Resorts has developed a “Cool-down onsen soak” programme at properties with Japanese onsen facilities – those within the company’s KAI .... more>>

Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skop acquisition
Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skop acquisition   09 Jun 2026

Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of its strength ecosystem.

....
more>>
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day   09 Jun 2026

The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful .... more>>

Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept
Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept   09 Jun 2026

Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather .... more>>

As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB rebrands to Evolve
As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB rebrands to Evolve   08 Jun 2026

The 20th State of the Industry Report from LeisureDB has revealed a resilient, expanding and competitive sector, the importance of .... more>>

Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
Longevitix launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale   08 Jun 2026

Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver .... more>>

Company profile


Seed To Skin

Founded by Jeanette Thottrup in 2018, in Tuscany, Seed to Skin is an award winning skincare line.

View full profile>>

Catalogue gallery


Featured Supplier

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect

CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. More>>




in this issue

• Virgin gets right to wipe out rent arrears
• Fitness industry mourns passing of Jan Spaticchia
• STA offers mindfulness resources



Latest jobs

Jobs Search



Membership Advisor
Salary: Competitive salary plus commission & benefits
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
Customer Service Advisor
Salary: Competitive
Location: Market Rasen
Company: Everyone Active
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Location: Harrow
Company: Everyone Active
Diary dates
Powered by leisurediary.com

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland







Published by Leisure Media Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 | Contact us | About us | © Cybertrek Ltd