JEDDAH: Aradhana Khowala has been appointed as NEOM’s managing director of tourism, the  project announced on Wednesday.  NEOM, a $500 billion megacity, is a key part of the Kingdom’s strategic vision to diversify the economy. “We will be working alongside Aradhana to make NEOM an exceptional global tourism destination looking ahead to the future,” said CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr in a tweet on NEOMs official account. Khowala, who was CEO & founder of Aptamind, is considered a world expert in the tourism and hospitality industry, and was awarded the 21st Century Icon Awards in association with CNBC and London School of Economics as an inspirational game changer and tourism leader. The Red Sea project and NEOM are set to enhance Saudi Arabias position on the touristic map of the world. At the end of July, Saudi Arabias King Salman holidayed at NEOM to enjoy some rest and recreation, according to state media. In October 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled the 26,500-square kilometer megacity and economic hub the likes of which the world has never seen.   Backed by the Kingdom’s vast Public Investment Fund, NEOM will operate as an independent economic zone powered solely by regenerative energy, spanning three countries, complete with its own self-governing laws and regulations and all strategically designed for economic stimulation.  The project’s vision is to make it the best place in the world for living and working.