Riyadh – Mubasher: Qiddiya Investment Company has named Philippe Gas as the company’s CEO effective as of 29 November 2020.

Qiddiya is Saudi Arabia’s future capital of entertainment, sports, and arts, guided directly by the inspired leadership of His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Qiddiya, as a keystone of Vision 2030, according to a press release on Thursday.

Gas brings a wealth of experience to the role, moving into the position from a 30-year tenure with The Walt Disney Company, where he most recently served as President and Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan & Disneyland International.

He also served as the CEO of Euro Disney SCA, the first tourism destination in Europe, for seven years, and then successfully led the launch of Shanghai Disney Resort.

The kingdom’s Minister of Tourism and Qiddiya's board member and general secretary, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, said, “Philippe has an impressive international track record of delivering world-class entertainment destination experiences and leading large organisations, which makes him the right person to oversee this next, crucial phase of development as we rapidly journey toward the much-anticipated Grand Opening of Qiddiya.”

“Qiddiya is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to develop an unforgettable offering that will transform entertainment for an entire region and create cherished memories for current and future generations […] The Qiddiya team has delivered a lot in a short amount of time and it is my honour to take the helm at this critical juncture,” Philippe Gas added.

The new CEO will replace founding CEO, Michael Reininger, who will remain for a handover and advisory period before departing Qiddiya.