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Star Trek Theme Park to
Run on Clean Energy
The $1.5 billion park will feature technologically advanced
attractions, five-star accommodations, theatrical
productions and nighttime spectacles.
Abundant wind and solar energy could power 100
percent of the park's energy needs.
Fifteen years after "Trekkie" King Abdullah II briefly appeared in an episode
of Star Trek, Jordan is planning to construct a $1.5-billion-dollar park
themed on the cult American science fiction series.
The "Red Sea Astrarium" will be built in the country's sole port of Aqaba,
350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Amman, spanning 184 acres (74.4
hectares), and will include a Star Trek-themed center.
"Revolving around ancient history with Nabatean, Babylonian, British and
Roman influences," the park is scheduled for opening in 2014, according to
Jordan's Rubicon Group Holding (RGH), which announced the plan.
Bordering Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Aqaba is a popular tourist center
and close to the ancient rose-red Nabatean city of Petra and Wadi Rum in
the desert.
RGH said in a statement the park would include "technologically advanced
attractions, five-star accommodation, captivating theatrical productions,"
and nighttime spectacles.
It said RGH, CBS Consumer Products and Paramount Recreation will create
the Star Trek center, which "will deliver a variety of multi-sensory
23rd-century experiences, culminating with a state-of-the art space-flight
adventure."
According to RGH, the astrarium "will be the world's only place where there
is a Star Trek attraction," after a similar facility in Las Vegas closed.
King Abdullah is an acknowledged fan of the Star Trek phenomenon.
In 1996, while he was still a prince, 34-year-old Abdullah made a
non-speaking appearance in the Star Trek: Voyager episode
"Investigations."
Wearing a black suit with green shoulder strap in episode 36, he is seen
standing with USS Voyager operations officer Harry S. L. Kim, who tells the
smiling prince: "See you later."
It is unclear how the theme park project will be funded, but the King
Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) has been approached to help
finance it.
"We have not made a decision. We are in the evaluation phase and the
project is currently under review by the board," KAFD Executive Director
Tarik Awad told AFP.
The park will include four hotels, generate 500 jobs and "serve as a model
for green energy," RGH said.
"The project, a milestone in the development of tourism in Jordan, will
provide a progressive and entertaining celebration of the region's culture
and heritage," it added.
Run on Clean Energy
The $1.5 billion park will feature technologically advanced
attractions, five-star accommodations, theatrical
productions and nighttime spectacles.
Abundant wind and solar energy could power 100
percent of the park's energy needs.
Fifteen years after "Trekkie" King Abdullah II briefly appeared in an episode
of Star Trek, Jordan is planning to construct a $1.5-billion-dollar park
themed on the cult American science fiction series.
The "Red Sea Astrarium" will be built in the country's sole port of Aqaba,
350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Amman, spanning 184 acres (74.4
hectares), and will include a Star Trek-themed center.
"Revolving around ancient history with Nabatean, Babylonian, British and
Roman influences," the park is scheduled for opening in 2014, according to
Jordan's Rubicon Group Holding (RGH), which announced the plan.
Bordering Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Aqaba is a popular tourist center
and close to the ancient rose-red Nabatean city of Petra and Wadi Rum in
the desert.
RGH said in a statement the park would include "technologically advanced
attractions, five-star accommodation, captivating theatrical productions,"
and nighttime spectacles.
It said RGH, CBS Consumer Products and Paramount Recreation will create
the Star Trek center, which "will deliver a variety of multi-sensory
23rd-century experiences, culminating with a state-of-the art space-flight
adventure."
According to RGH, the astrarium "will be the world's only place where there
is a Star Trek attraction," after a similar facility in Las Vegas closed.
King Abdullah is an acknowledged fan of the Star Trek phenomenon.
In 1996, while he was still a prince, 34-year-old Abdullah made a
non-speaking appearance in the Star Trek: Voyager episode
"Investigations."
Wearing a black suit with green shoulder strap in episode 36, he is seen
standing with USS Voyager operations officer Harry S. L. Kim, who tells the
smiling prince: "See you later."
It is unclear how the theme park project will be funded, but the King
Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) has been approached to help
finance it.
"We have not made a decision. We are in the evaluation phase and the
project is currently under review by the board," KAFD Executive Director
Tarik Awad told AFP.
The park will include four hotels, generate 500 jobs and "serve as a model
for green energy," RGH said.
"The project, a milestone in the development of tourism in Jordan, will
provide a progressive and entertaining celebration of the region's culture
and heritage," it added.
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