Dammam International City: Urgent measures to resolve the parking and ticketing crisis
In a swift move reflecting its commitment to visitor safety and the quality of the tourist experience, the management of Dammam's "Global City" responded immediately to the field report published by Al-Youm newspaper, which highlighted some of the logistical challenges encountered during the launch of this massive entertainment project. The management announced a package of urgent organizational measures aimed at addressing vehicle congestion and ensuring smooth pedestrian flow, in accordance with international crowd management standards.
Context of the event and the importance of the project in the Eastern Province
Dammam's "Global City" is one of the most prominent modern entertainment destinations that the Eastern Province is relying on to enhance its position on the Gulf and Arab tourism map. This project comes within the framework of the "Quality of Life" program, one of the pillars of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify entertainment options and create integrated family recreational spaces. Due to the high population density in Dammam and Khobar, in addition to the influx of visitors from neighboring Gulf countries, the opening witnessed a public turnout that exceeded expectations, placing significant pressure on the infrastructure surrounding the site. This necessitated this rapid regulatory intervention to ensure the project's continued success.
Field measures to alleviate traffic congestion
In response to Al-Youm's report on the suffering of residents and visitors due to haphazard parking in neighboring areas, the official spokesperson for Global City, Talal Al-Dahi, confirmed the commencement of practical solutions that included:
- Opening new gates: Gate No. “2” was immediately put into operation to relieve pressure, with the announcement that Gate No. “3” will be opened within the next few days, creating three axes for entry and exit and preventing congestion at one point.
- Pedestrian safety: Safe pedestrian crossings have been created in cooperation with the Eastern Province Municipality to connect parking areas with entrances, and the construction of pedestrian bridges is currently being studied to ensure safe passage for families and children away from the danger of highways.
- Enhancing parking: Despite the availability of 3,000 indoor parking spaces, coordination has been made to equip additional outdoor parking spaces in cooperation with neighboring shopping centers and the municipality to accommodate the increasing numbers.
Ticket and pricing controversy settled
Regarding the confusion surrounding the entry process, the administration clarified definitively that tickets are exclusively digital via the WeBook platform, denying the existence of any physical ticket outlets on-site. Al-Dahi pointed out that this procedure is not a complication, but rather a strategic decision to control capacity. The administration prefers to admit a specific number of visitors to ensure a comfortable and safe experience for everyone, rather than opening the doors to numbers exceeding operational capacity, which could compromise safety standards.
The official spokesperson also denied rumors circulating about a ticket price of 15 riyals, confirming that the official prices are only those published on the booking platform. The administration urged visitors to plan their trips in advance and book tickets online to avoid any confusion at the gates.
Towards a sustainable tourist destination
The management concluded by emphasizing that the current opening phase is an operational phase aimed at engaging the public in the development journey, during which all feedback is being carefully monitored and addressed. Through this swift response and the activation of shuttle bus options from Dammam and Khobar, Global City seeks to solidify its position as a leading destination, affirming that the safety and comfort of visitors remains its top priority and cannot be compromised.
