빈 살만 왕세자, 파리 근교에 10조원 부어 ‘디즈니급’ 놀이공원

The Saudi Arabian Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, plans to invest around 10 trillion won in amusement parks near Paris, France. Reflecting his own interests, one park will be dedicated to manga, featuring both Chinese and Japanese styles. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the project on December 24, stating that three parks will be built in Sermiezouz, with a 60-billion-euro investment and 22,000 new jobs created.

The future amusement park complex will include hotels, restaurants, and housing facilities, marking it as a new global tourism destination, according to Macron. The announcement came after a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elisee Palace. The Saudi Public Investment Fund's entertainment subsidiary, Kidya Investments Company, is financing and managing the project.

The Elisee Palace sources reported that the venture was initiated after the Saudi-Russia summit in Riyadh in December 2024. One of the parks will be themed around manga, particularly the Dragon Ball series. Macron hinted at his own interest in manga, stating that the plan would boost tourism in the region. The remaining two parks will be designed by Saudi investors.

A specific opening date has not been announced. France obtained the development rights to a strategic piece of land in Saudi Arabia following the conflict with Iran, which could result in underground oil storage facilities or the establishment of oil export hubs in Iran, according to French expert Rifiel Ghobrass. The prince expressed his enthusiasm for France's support, noting that he has been on the run from Western leaders since the 2018 assassination of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

However, Macron and the prince have been close since Macron championed the recognition of Palestinian states at the UN General Assembly in September last year. The prince owns a mansion in Paris modeled after the Chateau de Versailles and was reportedly staying there after arriving in France on December 21.