by Christian Blauvelt, EW.com
Set phasers for fun! That’s because Star Trek’s getting the theme park treatment in Aqaba, Jordan. Set to begin construction in March 2012, the Red Sea Astrarium, a $1.5 billion development comprised of four hotels and 17 amusement-park-style attractions, will feature a Star Trek-themed entertainment center, including a “space-flight adventure” simulator ride (a la Disney’s Star Tours) based on the 45-year-old franchise.
Puzzled by Starfleet’s incursion into Jordan? Actually, the current monarch, King Abdullah II is an avid Trek geek and even appeared on a season two episode of Star Trek: Voyager in 1996. He may be royalty, but, without a SAG card, he still wasn’t allowed a speaking part. read more
Categories: Jordan, Saudi Arabia
Egypt created the tourist destination Sharm el Sheikh out of a sand dune fishing village, consequently Jordan thinks they can transform Aqaba into an even better tourist destination. So far however Aqaba seems to be getting too expensive. The planners need to watch the prices.