As Saudi Arabia enters a new era of economic diversification under Vision 2030, tourism is taking centre stage in shaping the Kingdom’s future. Red Sea Global – the visionary real estate developer behind one of the most ambitious regenerative tourism projects in the world – is leading this ‘renaissance’ movement, redefining the concept of futuristic tourism in the region. Central to this transformation, the developer is planning 50 resorts on the west coast of the Red Sea, featuring 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential properties across 22 pristine islands and six inland sites. The company’s reach extends further with the Amaala project and the launch of a third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat completing phase one of the project.
Tourism Excellence: From Vision to Reality
Tourism in Saudi Arabia is set to be a significant economic driver, contributing 10% to the national GDP, an ambitious growth reflected in the kingdom’s record-breaking visitor numbers: 27 million international tourists and 79 million domestic travellers in 2022 alone. Red Sea Global has already established partnerships with global hospitality brands such as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Marriott International. In dealing with the upper echelons of their offerings, the developer is integrating the expertise of the world’s leading hotel brands into their developments.
Sustainability as a Cornerstone
What sets Red Sea Global apart is a commitment to advancing regenerative tourism, a forward-thinking approach that prioritises the preservation of the Kingdom’s most precious asset: nature. As the largest tourism destination in the world powered entirely by renewable energy, the developer is setting new standards for sustainable tourism in The Red Sea.
The tourism of the future looks paved with key innovations such as the ones taking shape on the islands: the world’s largest battery storage facility, with a capacity of 1,000 MWh, and the biggest district cooling system powered by renewable energy, both of which are projected to save a staggering one million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Mangrove reforestation is another pillar of the developer’s mandate for the Red Sea project. The company has already planted 2.5 million mangroves contributing to an overall target of 50 million plants by 2030. These efforts combat rising sea levels and erosion and also sequester carbon at an advanced rate, reaffirming the project's regenerative essence.
Luxury Tourism: Looking to The Future
Beyond the responsible building of luxury resorts and eco-friendly systems, Red Sea Global is recreating a holistic tourism experience that embodies the future of travel. The company’s third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat launched in 2023 is a clear reflection of this philosophy, conceived to balance exclusivity with sustainability while offering guests an intimate connection to the natural surroundings.
If Saudi Arabia’s goal is to welcome 150 million annual tourists by 2030, Red Sea Global’s objective is to scale up operations and build excellence in all of those different facets, ultimately contributing to the overall tourism experience and positively impacting the environment and economy.
Red Sea Global’s efforts reflect those of the Kingdom under Vision 2030: to present Saudi Arabia as a unique destination, timeless yet perpetually relevant, universal yet profoundly devoted to the singularity of the region, and a promise to the world of what the future of tourism can and should be.
