King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), a special economic zone on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, said its Royal Greens Golf and Country Club has been declared winner in 'The International Best Leisure Development' category at the International Property Awards (IPA) 2016 held in London, UK.

This is the first time a Saudi development has ever won in this category in the IPA's 24 year history, said a statement from KAEC.

Royal Greens had previously won the IPA award for 'Best Leisure Development in Saudi Arabia' in October. However at the London event, Royal Greens received both the Best in Arabia Region and the Best International Award, beating stellar competition from across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas, it stated.

“If there was any question whether Saudi Arabia could compete at a global level in leisure and tourism, this award gives the definitive answer,” remarked Fahd Al Rasheed, Group CEO and managing director of KAEC.

“This is an unprecedented achievement and a clear validation of the government’s objectives within Vision 2030 to expand the Kingdom’s leisure and tourism economy,” stated Al Rasheed.

Royal Greens was also one of three developments at KAEC that was honoured at the 2106 Cityscape Awards. Royal Greens was awarded Best Leisure and Hospitality Project for 2016 at the country’s leading real estate forum in November this year.

KAEC also won in the Best Future Commercial and Mixed Use Project and the Best Future Retail Project categories to collect half of the awards given at Cityscape 2016.

Charles Biele, the chief executive of residential development at KAEC, said: "The Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is a world-class facility and one that will further elevate its status as a leading destination in Saudi Arabia and the region."

“Royal Greens and the adjacent premium Golf and Beach Communities at Al Murooj provide residents and visitors with a unique lifestyle experience unmatched anywhere regionally,” he added.

KAEC is the largest privately-funded new city in the world covering an area of 181 sq km, approximately the size of Washington DC.

The city, being developed by Emaar, The Economic City, comprises King Abdullah Port, the Coastal Communities residential districts, the Haramain Railway district and the Industrial Valley.-TradeArabia News Service