Dammam International City: Urgent measures to end the parking and ticketing crisis
In a swift move reflecting its commitment to visitor safety and the quality of the tourism experience, the management of Dammam International City announced a package of urgent organizational measures in response to media reports and on-site observations that highlighted logistical challenges during the initial days of opening. This step comes in response to a report published in Al-Youm newspaper regarding visitors' suffering from traffic congestion and a lack of pedestrian walkways.
Boosting tourism in the Eastern Province
Dammam's "Global City" is one of the most prominent modern entertainment destinations in the Eastern Province, part of the significant tourism boom in Saudi Arabia in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life. This project holds particular importance as it brings together the cultures of the world in one place, making it a major attraction for families and tourists from both within the Kingdom and abroad. This explains the massive public turnout the city has witnessed since its opening, placing unprecedented pressure on the surrounding infrastructure.
Urgent solutions to the parking and pedestrian crisis
The official spokesperson for Global City, Talal Al-Dahi, confirmed that the administration took the concerns regarding pedestrian safety and traffic congestion very seriously. Immediate measures included coordinating with the Eastern Province Municipality to create safe pedestrian crossings connecting residential areas and parking lots to the entrance gates, following the observation of families crossing highways dangerously.
In a related context, the administration announced the immediate operation of Gate No. “2” to alleviate the pressure, while confirming that Gate No. “3” will be opened within the next few days, which will provide three main axes for entry and exit, and will contribute to the smooth flow of traffic and the resolution of the bottlenecks that have bothered the residents of the neighboring districts.
The debate over tickets and digital transformation has been settled
Regarding the controversy surrounding sold-out tickets and the lack of physical ticket outlets, Al-Dahi explained that relying entirely on digital booking via the WeBook platform is a strategic decision aimed at controlling capacity. He pointed out that limiting the number of daily visitors is not a shortage, but rather a necessary measure to ensure public safety standards and prevent overcrowding. He emphasized that there are no plans to open physical ticket outlets on-site, in line with the general trend towards digital transformation in major events.
The official spokesperson also denied the rumors circulating about ticket prices (15 riyals), stressing the need to obtain information only from official sources, as tickets are being released gradually based on an assessment of the field situation and the capacity of the venue.
Integrated transport system
To enhance accessibility options, the administration announced the activation of shuttle bus routes from Dammam and Khobar, aiming to reduce reliance on private cars and alleviate pressure on parking facilities, which have been expanded in cooperation with nearby shopping centers to accommodate thousands of vehicles. These initiatives underscore the project's commitment to providing a safe and distinctive leisure experience befitting the Eastern Province's status as a leading tourist destination in the Gulf region.
