King of Jordan Funding Star Trek Attraction

Jordan’s King Abdullah II is a major investor in the $1.5 billion resort, Red Sea Astrarium, which includes a futuristic Star Trek theme park.

King Abdullah, a major Star Trek fan himself, and previously appeared in a non-speaking role in one episode of Star Trek: Voyager, when he was younger.

The resort has secured funding from U.S. and Gulf investors, of which King Abdullah is “the main Jordan investor,” according to the UAE’s The National newspaper. Abdullah is contributing to the project via his King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD). 

The Astrarium resort is expected to boost Jordan’s tourism, which was hurt by this year’s ongoing protests in the Middle East.

The Star Trek attraction will include “a variety of multi-sensory experiences” and “a state-of-the art space-flight adventure,” reported Hotelier Middle East.

Since Las Vegas no longer has the “Star Trek: Experience,” this will definitely make fans happy, noted The Times Leader.

Licensing for the Star Trek attraction has been acquired from CBS Consumer Products and Paramount Recreation, which will also be assisting in the development process, added The National.

The Astrarium will be powered by green energy and a section of the park will be set aside to educate visitors on renewable energy, according to Hotelier Middle East.

The 184-acre resort will be designed by the architectural firm, Callison, while entertainment aspects will be left to Rubicon Holding Group (RGH), a Jordan-based entertainment company.

Located in the coastal Jordan city of Aqaba, the Astrarium will include “hotels, restaurants, shops, performance venues, and themed attractions,” stated Callison in a press release. 

Randa Ayoubi, the chief executive of RGH, called the project “a crossroads of civilizations” that will help establish “Brand Jordan” as a tourism destination, reported The National.