Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Saudi Arabia Unveils Red Sea Project: A New Luxury Tourism Destination
For discerning travellers seeking year-round sunshine, pristine turquoise seas, and opulent accommodations, destinations like the Maldives, the Caribbean, and Egypt are often top of mind. However, a compelling new entrant has emerged onto the luxury travel scene: Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is rapidly developing its Red Sea Project, a groundbreaking tourism initiative on its western coast, designed to leverage natural beauty in an environmentally responsible way. With its first phase nearing completion, this ambitious project features a brand-new international airport, slated to become fully operational this year, alongside a selection of lavish resorts situated across three islands and two inland locations.
Expansion and Accommodation
Upon full realization in 2030, the Red Sea Project is projected to feature 50 hotels offering 8,000 rooms, in addition to over 1,000 residential properties distributed across 22 islands and six inland sites. Project planners state that visitor numbers will be deliberately capped at one million annually to safeguard the delicate Red Sea ecosystem. For British travellers contemplating a journey to Saudi Arabia, reassurance can be found in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice, which currently only advises against travel to the immediate Yemeni border region.
Location and Safety Considerations
The Red Sea islands are geographically distant from Yemen, roughly comparable to the distance between London and Madrid. All other regions within Saudi Arabia are deemed safe for travel by the Foreign Office.
Relaxed Dress Code and Cultural Nuances
Notably, typical tourist attire, such as bikinis, is acceptable within the Red Sea Project area. Furthermore, women are not obligated to cover their hair, except when visiting religious sites. It is important to note, however, that Saudi Arabia remains an alcohol-free nation, and this policy extends to tourist zones within the Red Sea development.
Luxury Resort Experiences
The St Regis Red Sea Resort
The first hotel to welcome guests in the region, The St Regis Red Sea Resort, inaugurated last January. It is readily accessible via a swift 30-minute speedboat transfer or a 10-minute seaplane journey.
Accommodations at this premium resort start from upwards of £1,000 per night throughout the year, and it has been widely reported that several prominent figures have recently enjoyed stays there. Mirroring the Maldivian aesthetic, the resort features overwater villas, private pools, and a full-service spa.
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Nearby, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, provides an even more exclusive experience, boasting amenities such as stargazing telescopes, secluded private pools, and unique bedrooms nestled within seashell-inspired dome structures.
A stay at this ultra-luxury location commands prices exceeding £1,660 per night. Additionally, reports indicate that beachfront residences are available for purchase at prices around $25 million (approximately £19.7 million).
Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development
The Red Sea Project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive long-term strategy aimed at diversifying the national economy beyond its reliance on fossil fuel industries.
The project is presented as an innovative “development model” prioritizing “responsibility,” with a commitment not only to environmental protection but also to actively “enriching it for future generations.”
Construction followed extensive environmental impact assessments, including what is described as “the largest marine spatial planning simulation ever undertaken.”
Significantly, less than 1% of the total project area is being developed, with over 75% of the Red Sea islands designated for conservation efforts.
Upon completion, the Red Sea International Airport is intended to operate as a carbon-neutral facility, powered entirely by renewable energy sources.
Currently, direct flight connections are available from within Saudi Arabia and from Dubai.