According to the newspaper, Saudi Arabia plans to serve wines, champagnes and alcoholic cocktails at a Red Sea resort located in the futuristic city of Neom.The Wall Street newspaperInformation on people close to the project and documentation for the projects.
The newspaper says that the sale of alcohol, if allowed, would represent a risky milestone for the state of economic and cultural transformation led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to attract foreign tourists and encourage expatriate businessmen to live and work. in Saudi Arabia.
The newspaper stressed that allowing the sale of alcohol in Saudi Arabia could lead to a violent reaction from many Saudi clerics.
However, expats say in opinion polls that access to alcohol will be important to their quality of life if they want to live in the city of NEOM, touted as the future of the kingdom.
The resort is located on an island on the Red Sea called Sandala and is expected to include an upscale wine bar, separate cocktail bar, and one for champagne and dessert, according to project documents dated last January seen by the Wall Street Journal, as well as how people close to the development of Neom. The projects also suggest the creation of a wine retailer.
Pictures from last June’s Sandala Island masterplan show a bartender pouring a cocktail over premium-brand bottles of vodka, whiskey and wine, as customers sit around a chilled bottle of champagne and pieces of cake.
Test the Waters: There are rapidly evolving plans to allow the sale of alcohol at a Saudi island resort called Sindalah in Neom, in what would be one of the riskiest changes for MBS to implement. Exclusive look of @RoryWSJ https://t.co/rWaw5oCgdC
– Michael Amon (@michaelkamon) September 17, 2022
Other photos show bikini-clad women and men topless on yachts and swimming in huge pools, another sign of how NEOM projects defy the kingdom’s cultural norms, according to the newspaper.
The project document states that Sandala Island will make the Red Sea a new destination for luxury yachts and will attract some of the richest and most influential people in the world.
And while soft drinks, such as beer and cocktails, are becoming popular in Saudi Arabia, people close to NEOM said the project plans to have real wine, even if the word alcohol is not mentioned in the program documents.
The newspaper notes that the “Sandala” island site, which is scheduled to open next year, could provide legal coverage as alcohol will not be served in the main Saudi territory.
The sale, possession and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is punishable by up to imprisonment, a fine and sometimes flogging.
Satellite images show work in progress on Sandala Island, which will be located a few miles from the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, where alcohol is served.
#NEOM Beach Games 2022 will bring together major world-class sporting events with high-performance athletes from over 25 countries. Let the games begin. 🪁 🏃 🏀 ⚽️ 🚴 #NEOMGames pic.twitter.com/6W4PMSdiCN
– NEOM (@NEOM) September 16, 2022
The Wall Street Journal said representatives from NEOM and the Saudi government did not respond to requests for comment.
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