Saudi Arabia is looking for private investors to fund a $135 million ferris wheel in Madinah, as the kingdom pushes to expand attractions for pilgrims and domestic travellers beyond its holy sites, reported MSN.

The project, listed as the Hijaz Eye on the government's Invest Saudi platform, would be built on a 33,700 sq m plot, roughly the size of five football pitches. 

Officials have not yet confirmed how tall the observation wheel will be, but plans describe it as a place for a bird’s-eye view of the city.

The Invest Saudi platform, which lists around 2,200 state investment opportunities, projects the wheel could repay investors within seven years, said the report.

Domestic and religious tourism sit at the core of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. With the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, the kingdom attracts millions of religious tourists each year.

"A lot can be done in terms of Umrah and Hajj plus," said Amin Ismail, managing director of investment advisory Certares, reflecting broader industry thinking on extending pilgrims' stays beyond religious obligations.

In 2025, 14 million visitors came from overseas to Saudi Arabia for religious purposes, Ministry of Tourism data shows – twice the number who came for leisure and seven times those who arrived for business.