--- title: Find out about the future of Saudi Arabia description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. canonical: https://time.com/branded-content/diriyah-company/diriyah-company-launches-the-kingdom-a-cultural-heritage-city-in-riyadh/ article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-07-20T09:47:14.246Z article:modified_time: 2026-07-20T09:47:06.780Z og:title: Find out about the future of Saudi Arabia og:description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. og:url: https://time.com/branded-content/diriyah-company/diriyah-company-launches-the-kingdom-a-cultural-heritage-city-in-riyadh/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Find out about the future of Saudi Arabia twitter:description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # Find out about the future of Saudi Arabia ## Video: Diriyah Company Final - Executive Spotlight [Watch (HLS stream): Diriyah Company Final - Executive Spotlight](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/FXUnwPA9.m3u8) (4:06)  _Published 2024-08-05. Red Border Executive Spotlight video for EMEA client Diriyah Company_ Just outside of the bustling heart of Riyadh, Diriyah Company GCEO, Jerry Inzerillo, is sculpting a vision that promises to redefine Saudi Arabia’s identity. With a career spanning decades and continents, Inzerillo sat down with Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME, to discuss one of the world’s most ambitious cultural and tourism projects. Diriyah Gate is a monumental development initiative in Saudi Arabia aimed at transforming the historic city of Diriyah into a premier global destination. “Diriyah is extremely dear to me,” Inzerillo shares. “It was the capital of the ​ First Saudi State, a spectacular city built out of mud over 300 years ago. Thanks to the custodian of the two Holy Mosques, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.” The vision for Diriyah is grand with a master plan for a city that is inspired by 300 years of history, heritage and culture, redefining urban living today and built for the future. “We’re building a walkable cultural heritage city,” Inzerillo explains. “It will have nine spectacular museums, over 40 global hotel brands, one university, 31 mosques, and 30,000 residences.” Inzerillo also notes the importance of maintaining the historical integrity of Diriyah, saying its “transformation is not just about modern construction, it’s about revitalizing a historic community where 100,000 people can live, work, pray and socialize with sustainable technology being placed underground to respect the original structures.” This massive undertaking aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens. “We aim to diversify the Kingdom away from just fossil fuels,” emphasizes Inzerillo. “Tourism, which was 3% of GDP, is now 4.2% and aims to reach 10% by 2030.” Inzerillo explains that Saudi Arabia achieved its Vision 2030 goal of 100 million visits by the end of 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. “When people come, they see a beautiful country that’s very diverse in its offerings, and with warm and generous hospitality from the Saudi people.” As Saudi Arabia prepares for the Asian Winter Games in 2029, the World Expo in 2030, and the World Cup in 2034, Diriyah is poised to become the Kingdom’s ultimate lifestyle destination. “We’re the capital of cultural heritage because we’re not 30 or 40 years old, but rather the modern Saudi state is built on 300 years of history and heritage,” explains Inzerillo. “Saudi has the largest night-lit UNESCO site in the world–that’s 300 years of national identity and a source of pride for all Saudis.” The Diriyah project is not simply historical preservation, it’s the creation of a vibrant, thriving community that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia. As Inzerillo and his team continue their work, the world eagerly awaits the unveiling of this historical gem transformed into a modern marvel.  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