Henry Chow

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced the establishment of Trojena, a new destination for mountain tourism in the kingdom’s $500bn city of the future Neom, set for completion in 2026.

The metaverse tourism model was expedited by downturns in tourism brought about by COVID-19, but the industry may have already been heading that way. 

Choi said, “In the metaverse, we can upload guns and recreate wars for historical teaching purposes.” Historical reenactments with reconstructed weapons happen all over the world, including in the United States, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Italy, and there may be many future teachable moments in the metaverse.

Highlights include a man-made freshwater lake and a vertical village that will merge technology, entertainment and hospitality facilities. It will serve as the main gateway into Trojena, which will feature six districts – Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun.

Trojena will be a first-of-its-kind experience, offering outdoor skiing in a desert climate. There will be a ski village and ski slope, as well as wellness resorts, an interactive nature reserve, retail outlets and restaurants.

Historical storytelling and experiences can also be augmented to create surreal and impossible scenarios.

Axiom Station will be connected to the International Space Station and will include crew quarters, a dining area and a galley habitation module designed with interiors by Starck. He envisioned the module as "a comfortable egg that is inviting with soft walls and a design perfectly in harmony with the values and movements of the human body in zero... See more

Privately-owned space exploration company Axiom Space commissioned designer Phillipe Starck to create the interiors for Axiom Station, which claims to be the "world's first" commercial space station.

Donatus said he foresees a launching DAO treasury for renovations, akin to a “people’s UNESCO” — a reference to the United Nations agency tasked with protecting sites of cultural and historical significance.