Megaproject update: Watch a new video of Trojena Ski Village in NEOM
Saudi Arabia and snow sound like they don't go together. The marvellous megaproject, Trojena Ski Village, is set to shift your expectations. Located in NEOM, the area is an all-year-round mountainous destination. The developers have dropped a new video of the site, and here's what to expect.
Executive Director of Projects at Trojena, David McKenzie, has outlined the latest achievements and challenges. Trojena Ski Village is located at one of the highest points in Saudi Arabia, and the starting point for over 30 kilometres of ski slopes. This superstructure will rise vertically across 32 levels and will span twice the height of the world's tallest building when measured horizontally. Plus, it is set to host the Asian Winter Games 2029.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by TROJENA (@discovertrojena)
David explained: 'We are looking after this amazing project. Here we are at one of the amazing points in Saudi Arabia, and what an amazing site you can see. The Ski Village will be the central part of the skiing experience for the Asian Winter Games. The Ski Village itself will be an amazing place for people to come and experience something completely different – a first in the Kingdom.'
'We started this project 18 months ago and doing the excavation – here we are today. In the Ski Village itself, we have to deliver 18 Eiffel Towers over 18 months. That's 127,000 tonnes of steel. That's one of the largest steel projects ever completed in the world. For me personally, this is the most exciting project I've done in my live'
Throughout the Trojena Ski Village video, shots of the development showcase what visitors can expect. It also shows the difficulties in the development, especially logistically, as there are only two roads leading to the top of the mountain.
Trojena will span 1,400 kilometres of the mountain region. The area will welcome 11 hotels, 42,000 square metres of shopping and dining, and an amphitheatre that can welcome up to 3,000 people.
Check in with FACT for the best things to do in Saudi Arabia.
GO: Visit www.neom.com for more information.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
22-05-2025
- Arabian Business
How Saudi Arabia can deliver major event infrastructure on time and on budget
The delivery of major event infrastructure is a complex and multifaceted endeavour. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to hosting multiple international sports and cultural events over the next two decades, including the Asian Winter Games 2029, the World Expo 2030, and the FIFA World Cup 2034, the Kingdom must strategically plan for the delivery of its events infrastructure, looking to best practices and lessons learned to ensure commercial success and a lasting legacy. In a booming market, strategic procurement is key The Saudi market is not yet overheated, but certain resources are under significant pressure. This necessitates a strategic approach to procurement and project management to ensure timely and successful delivery. Owners must be open to selecting procurement methods with the highest chance of getting the asset delivered on the due date, including measurement contracts. The initial difficulty for major events projects is typically the development of a strategically sound programme to guarantee delivery on the due date, which is fixed and immovable. When building a stadium, it is crucial to balance the timing to avoid building too early or too late. While some of the assets for the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia are already under construction, a separate challenge is ensuring that all related social infrastructure, including transport, hospitality, and retail assets, are on track to complete in a fully coordinated manner. Main contractors and subcontractors must manage risk proactively For contractors working on high-pressure event projects, it is critical to ensure that the design is as complete as possible before construction begins, thereby avoiding redesigns and significant variations in the scope of the project. In the Middle East, design issues are a well-known cause of delay-related disputes. Tackling the challenge of late design delivery requires careful risk planning at the contract stage. Contractors should negotiate for a fair allocation of risk, considering the inclusion of practical acceleration clauses that allow for the expedited completion of a project by increasing resources, extending work hours, or implementing other measures to speed up the construction process. These clauses are particularly beneficial in high-pressure event projects, such as those for major sports events or expos, where timely delivery is critical. Turning to subcontractors, major event projects are not unique in experiencing issues of delay, design variations, cost escalations, and other claims typical to all large-scale projects. However, the stakes are higher due to the criticality of on-time delivery. Subcontractor risks in major events projects should not be forgotten. Smaller subcontractors on these projects can have a huge responsibility to deliver, and the main contractor is always trying to push the risk downwards. Subcontractors often face significant risks such as bearing responsibility for the timely delivery of important long lead items. Providing subcontractors with sizable advance payments and free-issue materials can help mitigate these risks. Subcontractors can also be their own worst enemies and must also protect themselves from risk by keeping adequate records to support their claims and ensure timely resolution of disputes. Effective stakeholder management sets the scene for success Effective stakeholder management is the single most important factor in the successful delivery of major event infrastructure. Stakeholder management includes coordinating with banks, financiers, contractors, owners, operators, and users. Smooth delivery of these projects depends on how well major stakeholders are arranging themselves, especially since stakeholders' interests may diverge. Not every stakeholder has the same interest, and defining their roles and a dispute resolution process is critical to managing their interests. The mindset must change from 'what is in it for me' to 'what is in the best interests of the project?' and 'how can we have a constructive dialogue to achieve the end goal?' In Saudi Arabia, procurement laws provide for different methods of tender, with major projects often done on an unlimited tender basis due to the need for highly skilled entities. Joint ventures are common, with each member sharing in the capital risk, but the bargain between joint venture parties must be carefully articulated to avoid disappointment and disputes. Educating stakeholders about suitable design options, which are iconic yet practical, and ensuring a diverse supply chain are key to overcoming typical challenges on major events projects. Early dispute resolution mechanisms will nip conflicts in the bud A proactive approach to dispute resolution assists cash flow and allows parties to move forward with the project, rather than becoming bogged down in disputes, which risks a catastrophic late delivery. For major sports events like the FIFA World Cup, selecting appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve disputes as early as possible is critical. Arbitration is a popular dispute resolution method for high-value construction contracts, and the Kingdom has made significant progress to establish a well-functioning institution, the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration. There is also now scope under Saudi law for negotiation on a 'without prejudice' basis, encouraging parties to resolve disputes before they escalate into a formal and costly arbitration proceeding. The new commercial law recognises that what is said at such settlement meetings will not be held against a party. With the signing of the Singapore Convention, there is also an increasing appetite for mediation in the Kingdom. The best method of dispute resolution depends on various factors, including the nature and amount of the dispute and the stakeholders involved. Mediation is not always appropriate for every dispute, but it can be highly effective for the right dispute. Separately, there has always been a high level of interest in the use of dispute adjudication boards in the Middle East, where stakeholders generally accept that early dispute resolution is positive because it assists cash flow. Despite this, there is typically a practical obstacle to implementing dispute boards, even when they are required by the contract. For a major event like an expo or the World Cup, a key stakeholder such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) could be the organiser, setting up dispute boards, appointing members, managing conflicts of interest, replacement members and other logistics. Mandating the use of dispute boards on all contracts related to a major event could be the most straightforward way to encourage their uptake. Strategic legacy planning ensures a profit-focused future The conclusion of a major event should not mark the end of the project. Its legacy is a critical consideration, so that the world-class infrastructure is put to good use. Proper legacy planning is not just in the intention, but the execution. In Qatar, there were fantastic plans to dismantle and repurpose the stadium venues, which was considered an environmentally sustainable concept. However, several years on, some of the stadia are still there because legacy plans were not fully thought through or capable of execution. The end user requirements must be considered when designing and planning the asset to ensure its long-term sustainability and financial viability. The end should be in mind right from the beginning, not least because there will be special considerations for an end user of major sports events. By way of example, FIFA is a critical stakeholder for the World Cup, and its specific design requirements should be considered as early as possible to ensure that the stadia is ultimately fit for purpose. Finally, once the international tourists return home, the focus of end-users for major sports arenas will be laser-focused on 'sweating the asset'. Designing a stadia that is capable of myriad multi-purposes, including sports and entertainment, is key, and is certainly more economical than trying to retro-fit the finished product. Delivering major event infrastructure in Saudi Arabia requires a strategic approach to procurement, effective stakeholder management, and robust dispute resolution mechanisms. With an innovative and ambitious spirit, the Kingdom will soon be ready to welcome the world.
Middle East Eye
17-04-2025
- Middle East Eye
'Discrimination': Arab American event moved from Amazon headquarters
Amazon refused to host an event celebrating Arab American culture at the eleventh hour, prompting fears that the move was 'discriminatory' and part of a broader systemic effort to suppress Arab American voices and visibility. The National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration was scheduled to take place on 9 April at Amazon East Coast headquarters in Arlington, Virginia (known as HQ2), to honour the achievements of people from the Arab-American community. Organisers had been planning the event for six months and began working with Amazon's employee resource group, Arabs at Amazon, in mid-February to coordinate logistics. The group has 4,000 members worldwide. Then, on 7 April, 48 hours before the event was due to take place, Amazon announced that it was "postponing" the event. One of the key organisers of the event was Warren David, co-founder of the Arab America Foundation (AAF). He established National Arab American Heritage Month in 2017, commemorating Arab American heritage and culture each April. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The commemoration has been an annual event since 2017, celebrating the contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. David spoke to Middle East Eye about his disappointment with the incident, given the extensive work done on the event and the lack of clarity on why it was being cancelled. 'It was quite disheartening for us to be denied doing this event by Amazon after we had booked all of these different speakers,' David said. 'Normally, venues work with you on resolving technicalities for an event. We felt Amazon were trying to find loopholes to not hold the event. After they cancelled it, Amazon told both Arab and non-Arab employees not to attend the event. Then there was the stress. We only had 48 hours to rearrange.' The event featured speakers, musicians, and almost 300 attendees registered from across the country who were flying in and had booked accommodation, making it impossible for AAF and Arabs at Amazon to postpone the event. David said they had to scramble to find an alternative venue. 'We found a church - literally, thank God, that took us in - an Arab church that was willing to host the event,' he said. Musicians performing at the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration, on 9 April 2025 (Arab America Foundation) The event was held at Saint Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac - around a 50-minute drive without traffic from the original venue. AAF had to organise a shuttle bus for those staying in hotels near the Amazon headquarters, while others who did not see their emails with the updated venue details went to the Amazon venue. The organisers believe they lost 100 attendees because of the venue change. Internal pressure David had heard from Arabs at Amazon that they were under pressure internally. 'I don't know all the details, but I know that they were under pressure, and there were certain things that they were trying to comply with and so forth. Amazon were questioning some of the speakers that were there.' He added that Amazon's diversity and inclusion staff told Arabs at Amazon that some administrative things needed to be completed that they were not aware of. 'They didn't know about it and weren't on boarded,' he said. 'They wanted talking points of the speakers that were going to be at our event. They wanted to know exactly what they were going to say and things like that. It was a week before. Arabs at Amazon complied and gave them a lot of the information they needed, but they said it was too late.' Inside the campaign to end Microsoft's collaboration with the Israeli army Read More » David said AAF had invited Palestinian American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to speak, and Amazon had been 'concerned' about her coming as well. "Judging from the past and what's happened to us with the Hilton Hotel and so forth, we don't know for certain but can only assume we were discriminated against," David said. Brad Glasser, a spokesperson for Amazon, denied Amazon had cancelled the event. 'Amazon didn't cancel this event. When employees request to use our spaces to host a community gathering, they're responsible for ensuring it complies with company policy and has the required approvals. That's true for every event, and unfortunately, the organizers failed to fulfill that responsibility,' the spokesperson said. Amazon told MEE they had repeatedly reminded the organisers of the company's requirements. When MEE asked Amazon for more details on how organisers failed to comply with company policy or for evidence that Amazon had reminded the organisers of the requirements repeatedly, they did not respond. Precedence David said that there was historical precedent for AAF's events being cancelled. The organisation's annual summit, which was due to take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld in November 2023, was cancelled by the hotel, citing security reasons, despite the fact that the AAF were planning to hire security. However, the Department of Justice said the hotel had discriminated against the AAF and filed a complaint in January, alleging that the owner of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel had discriminated based on national origin when it cancelled AAF's annual summit almost a month after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. The owner of the hotel reached an agreement with the Department of Justice after the agency sued, alleging discrimination. David said that his organisation was not political. 'What's really interesting is that the Arab America Foundation is a nonprofit. We have no political agenda at all. We're all about heritage, culture, empowering Arab Americans, identity, all of that.' David believes the current climate of discrimination against Arabs and Muslims is the worst he has ever witnessed. 'There's a history of denigrating Arabs and Muslims and so forth, but this is probably the worst I've ever seen it,' he said. 'I think this is even worse than [after] 9/11."
Gulf Today
17-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Healthiest Greek yogurt brand in the market
David Subotic, over the years, has made a career via managing projects that span from Mega Resort gaming developments in Asia to equity positions in the US. However, the diversity of his acclaimed and distinguished ventures further grew in 2012with greek yogurt as the centerpiece through Go Greek Yogurt. Go Greek Yogurt started in Beverly Hills, and the idea came from his wife, Tanja Subotic, who had the strongest of desires to bring authentic Greek yogurt to California following a considerable time spent in Greece. But she was strictwith sticking to its roots, all original and genuine—from ingredients to traditional straining methods. David and partner Jonathan Williams helped her turn that concept into an empire that it is at present. Go Greek Yogurt's first location opened on Bedford Drive, and it did not take long before foot traffic turned into loyal clientele including Hollywood heavy hitters. A-list celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, David Beckham, Gigi Hadid, and Chris Hemsworth kept on coming back after having a taste of our signature desserts. David says, "We feel so honored because of the support of the biggest names in Hollywood. At the end of the day, quality really speaks for itself and all our offerings embody it." The onslaught of, mind you, voluntary celebrity endorsements caught attention abroad. Today, Go Greek Yogurt also has branches in Santa Monica, Studio City, and Miami. Outside the United States, stores have been established in key Saudi locations like The Esplanade, Panorama Mall, Al-Faisal University, 1364 Mall, and Al Faisaliah Mall, with aggressive expansion into Kuwait and the UAE underway. David says, "We know the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is fast becoming a global seat of commerce and entertainment. Therefore, it is natural for us to focus on Riyadh as our launchpad, so to speak. By the way, New York is on the table as well. "David Subotic continues to manage the financial and expansion side of Go Greek while simultaneously running Greywood Capital, his Los Angeles-based investment firm, alongside his partners, Sasha Szabo and Marc Preston. The plan is to slowly but surely grow and expand to become the world's best and healthiest Greek yogurt brand. 'We're not interested in blowing it up for the sake of growing,' he says. 'We're focused on every facet, every detail of our yogurt. 'We are singular in taking over the world, and we are confident that this will come to fruition. In fact, we are strategically inching our way towards its achievement.'
