NEW DELHI: Media Oasis, a hub that welcomed journalists covering the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi over the weekend, also drew enthusiastic interest from a wide range of other visitors, from ambassadors to influencers, who were wowed by its high-tech, interactive displays.

Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Media from September 9 to 11, this was third edition of the Media Oasis and the first to take place outside the Kingdom. The three-day event was designed to shine a light on the latest technological advances, architectural developments, and cultural innovations underway in Saudi Arabia, through exhibitions split across 12 pavilions.

On Monday, its closing day, the Media Oasis welcomed a media delegation that was accompanying Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with a number of international ambassadors, influencers, and even families who came to explore and interact with its displays.

Akhilesh Verma, a 30-year-old Indian filmmaker, was particularly impressed by a section showcasing The Line, a megaproject launched by NEOM with the aim of reimagining urban spaces. He told Arab News he hopes to visit Saudi Arabia soon.

“I like the new concept, the city in a singular line, and I like the beautiful lighting and decorating here, it is very nice,” Verma said of Media Oasis.

“The whole perspective has changed. We used to view Saudi Arabia as a desert but now we see there are mountains, there are seas, there is everything enjoyable.”

Courtesy of massive video screens, visitors to Media Oasis were virtually transported to the streets of Jeddah and Riyadh, allowing them to experience the Saudi cities at the click of a button.

In the NEOM section of the event, guests were given a tour of the many futuristic megaprojects taking shape on the Kingdom’s northwestern coast, including The Line, Sindalah Island, the Trojena ski resort, and the Oxagon floating industrial zone.

Kuhuk Singh, an Indian makeup artist and influencer, said she was impressed by the projects that have been launched as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program of social reforms and economic diversification.

“I love The Line and I am interested and excited to visit Saudi Arabia for my coming vacation,” she said. “Saudis are so friendly; two or three of them I know personally and had lunch with them and it was a great experience.”

Visitors also had a chance to see artworks crafted by artificial intelligence technology, as they learned about the digitization projects being carried out by the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Ateeq Siddiqui, director of Indian sales management consultancy LyncBiz, said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet and network with young Saudis at the Media Oasis and was especially drawn to its technology section.

“This is the future of technology, which is adopted by the government of Saudi Arabia,” he told Arab News. “I really like how the future is about new trends, new technology, new adoption, new innovation.”

Salman Al-Subaie, a 13-year-old who visited Media Oasis with his family, said he was particularly impressed by the sports exhibit.

“I liked how the Ministry of Sport showcased the Saudi sports projects and how it was presented to foreigners,” he told Arab News.

His brother, Mohammed, 10, said he especially enjoyed a display of football strips featuring players’ autographs.

Nouf Al-Saud, general manager of marketing at the Ministry of Sport, told Arab News: “We are here to showcase how sport has positively transformed the Kingdom, our society and economy. Our crown prince’s vision and continuous support to the sport sector resulted in Saudi Arabia becoming one of the most exciting and dynamic countries in world sport.

“The numbers speak for themselves, whether it is the increased number of Saudis — young and old, boys and girls — playing more sport than ever, or the significant growth that sport has seen on the economic front and its increased contribution to our national GDP (gross domestic product).

“We are here to tell our sports story and connect with the world to explore partnership opportunities and together build a better future led by sport.”

Visitors also learned more about the clean-energy transition in Saudi Arabia from a booth provided by SABIC, which highlighted the many solutions the chemical manufacturing company has developed to help combat climate change and plastic waste.

Zikrur Rahman, an Indian citizen who previously lived in Saudi Arabia, said he had visited Media Oasis on all three days to network.

“I think this is one of the best things that you, as Saudis, have started, and the idea of oasis creation is a word you have used which is very proper for this kind of presentation,” he told Arab News.

“I think the youngsters I have seen here, those who are working and so actively involved, give us pleasure to see the Saudi young generations coming up with brand new ideas, with new initiatives, which is really taking the Saudi nation to a higher level.”