Red Sea Project

The Red Sea Project, commonly referred to as The Red Sea, is a land and property megaproject currently in development in Saudi Arabia that is managed by Red Sea Global[lower-alpha 1] and forms part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program.[2] The project was announced by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in July 2017, focusing on luxury and ecotourism to attract visitors to the Red Sea coast.[3][4]

Red Sea Project
مشروع البحر الأحمر
tourism destination
Coordinates: 25°30′18″N 36°57′18″E
CountrySaudi Arabia
AnnouncedJuly 2017
Government
 • CEOJohn Pagano[1]
Area
 • Total28,000 km2 (11,000 sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+03 (Arabian Standard Time)
Websitewww.redseaglobal.com/en

Construction began at The Red Sea in February 2019[5] and on completion in 2030 it is expected to increase the Saudi GDP by $5.86 billion per year.[6] The first three hotels are expected to open in 2023 while phase one is expected to be completed in 2024,[7] when 3,000 hotel rooms in 16 hotels will be constructed along with the Red Sea International Airport, a yachting marina, historical sites and recreation centers.[8] It is capping visitors to one million people per year from 2030 onwards to prevent overtourism.[9]

On completion in 2030, The Red Sea aims to have 50 hotels with 8,000 rooms, and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.[10]

One of the 92 islands that form an archipelago at The Red Sea tourism destination on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.

Location

The project is located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia in a 28,000 km2 area in Tabuk province between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh. The area includes 90 unspoiled offshore islands, 200km of coastline on the Red Sea, beaches, desert, mountains and volcanoes.[10]

Phase one

The first phase of the project is planned to be completed by 2024 with 16 hotels while its first three hotels will open in 2023. Phase one will include the following facilities:

  1. 16 luxury and hyper-luxury hotels [11]
  2. Marinas, leisure and lifestyle amenities
  3. The Red Sea International Airport[12]

The 16 hotels are being built in five locations: two inland and three on islands. Shura Island (formerly known as Shurayrah Island and also known as Coral Bloom) is the project's hub island and is where 11 hotel brands will be located, a yachting marina, retail and entertainment area, and 18-hole championship golf course. All 11 hotels on Shura Island were designed by British architects Foster + Partners to blend into the natural environment.

Two resorts will be located at Ummahat Island, one at Sheybarah Island, one inland at Southern Dunes, and another inland at Desert Rock.[13]

Hotel brands

The 13 confirmed hotel brands that have signed Hotel Management Agreements with Red Sea Global for phase one of The Red Sea are as follows:

Hotel Group: Marriott International

1. EDITION The Red Sea, Shura Island, 240 keys[14]

2. St Regis Red Sea Resort, Ummahat Island, 90 keys[14]

3. Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ummahat Island, 63 keys[15]

Hotel Group: Accor

4. Fairmont The Red Sea, Shura Island, 200 keys [16]

5. Raffles The Red Sea, Shura Island, 200 keys[17]

6. SLS The Red Sea, Shura Island, 150 keys[18]

Hotel Group: Hyatt Hotels Corporation

7. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea, Shura Island, 430 keys[19]

8. Miraval The Red Sea, Shura Island, 180 keys[20]

Hotel Group: IHG Hotels & Resorts

9. InterContinental The Red Sea, Shura Island, 210 keys[21]

10. Six Senses The Red Sea, inland at Southern Dunes, 76 keys[21]

Hotel Group: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

11. Jumeirah The Red Sea, Shura Island, 200 keys[22]

Hotel Group: Rosewood Hotel Group

12. Rosewood Red Sea, Shura Island, 149 keys[23]

Hotel Group: Faena Group

13. Faena, The Red Sea, 150 keys[24]

Experiences

Upon opening in 2023, The Red Sea will offer a variety of experiences for its guests, from scuba diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea to scenic hikes and sailing adventures, catering to all types of travelers.[25]

The following are some of the experiences that will be available at The Red Sea:[26]

Scuba Diving: guided scuba diving trips in the Red Sea, where guests can explore its clear waters and experience its diverse marine life.

Snorkeling: snorkeling experiences in the Red Sea, allowing guests to see the marine life up close without the need for diving certification.

Hiking: scenic hikes through canyons, providing a chance to take in the natural beauty of the region.

Sailing: sailing expeditions, allowing guests to sail across the Red Sea and experience its beauty from a different perspective.

Regeneration rather than sustainability

Red Sea Global, the developer of The Red Sea destination, is dedicated to promoting regenerative development - leaving the place better than it was found - rather than sustainability.[27] It is advancing its regeneration goals through a range of innovative measures. The company's master plan was designed on the basis of one of the largest marine spatial planning simulations ever undertaken,[28] laying the foundation for which islands to develop, which to leave and outlining what actions needed to be taken to meet a stated objective of increasing the net conservation benefit of the area by 30 percent by 2040.[29]

The company is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework that incorporates policies and strategies to facilitate these ambitions. This framework covers all aspects, including regulation of fisheries, removal of invasive species, creation of conservation zones, and expansion of green and blue habitats for regeneration and carbon sequestration.[29]

Red Sea Global also invests heavily in modern construction methods, such as off-site manufacturing, and utilizes sustainable products and materials, such as green concrete,[30] to support its commitment to a better future for people and planet. The destination has made the following committments with regard to protecting and enhancing the natural ecosytem of the area:[29]

  1. 100% reliance on renewable energy
  2. 75% LEED Buildings Accreditation
  3. 30% net positive conservation impact
  4. 75% of the destination’s islands will remain undeveloped
  5. Less than 1% of the total project area (28,000 km2 ) to be developed
  6. Nine islands designated as special conservation zones
  7. No waste-to-landfill
  8. Largest landscape nursery in the Middle East which will provide 25 million plants and trees by 2030.[31]
  9. No use of single use plastic
  10. Achieving a 100% carbon neutrality in operations.[32]

However, the project raises new challenges about water consumption, as Saudi Arabia consumes each year four times the water that is naturally renewed, while the resorts will use more than 56,000 cubic meters of water per day.[33] Power is to be supplied by 210 MW of solar and wind power, with fluctuations balanced by a 1000 MWh battery.[34]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Previously known as The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) until 2022.

References

  1. "Construction underway on Red Sea project site". Saudigazette. Feb 27, 2019. Archived from the original on September 7, 2019. Retrieved Aug 21, 2020.
  2. "Construction underway on Red Sea project site". Saudigazette. 2019-02-27. Archived from the original on 2019-02-27. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  3. "Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Project Marks a Milestone with Incorporation | Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, London". saudiembassyuk.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2019-02-21. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  4. "Red Sea Project, Largest of Its Kind in Saudi Arabia". albawaba.com. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  5. Mitchell, Bea (2019-02-28). "Construction begins on The Red Sea Project". Blooloop. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  6. Bridge, Sam. "Red Sea Project set to add $5.8bn to Saudi Arabia's GDP". ArabianBusiness.com. Archived from the original on 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  7. "Phase I of Red Sea Project 50% complete: Official". ArgaamPlus. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  8. "Inside Saudi Arabia's Red Sea: Everything you need to know". Arabian Business. Retrieved 24 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "1.5 million annual visitor cap at Saudi Arabia's Red Sea and Amaala giga-projects". Hotelier Middle East. Retrieved 24 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. "Inside Saudi Arabia's Red Sea: Everything you need to know". Arabian Business. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  11. https://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/saudi-arabia/red-sea-project-first-hotels-2023
  12. "Saudi Arabia's Red Sea project ensures protection of ecology". Arab News. 2019-01-23. Archived from the original on 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  13. "Red Sea Project reveals which hotels will open first at the Saudi Arabia gigaproject". Hotelier Middle East. Retrieved 25 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "Marriott International Signs Agreement with The Red Sea Development Company to Bring St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and EDITION to Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Project". Marriott International Newscenter (US). Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  15. "Marriott International Signs Agreement With the Red Sea Development Company To Bring the First Ritz-Carlton Reserve to the Middle East". Marriott International Newscenter (US). Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  16. "Accor expands Fairmont brand at Saudi's Red Sea Project". Arabia Travel News. Retrieved 25 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. "Accor to bring Raffles to Saudi Arabia's red sea destination". Hotelier Middle East. Retrieved 25 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. Friefer, Rana (2021-11-01). "SLS announces SLS Red Sea in collaboration with The Red Sea Development Company". Hospitality News Magazine. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  19. "Hyatt Announces Plans for Grand Hyatt The Red Sea in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Hyatt Newsroom. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  20. "Miraval The Red Sea". Miraval Resorts. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  21. "Six Senses and InterContinental resorts confirmed for Red Sea Project". Hotelier Middle East. Retrieved 25 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. "US$400m agreement signed to develop Jumeirah The Red Sea". Hotelier Middle East. Retrieved 25 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. "Luxury Hotel in Red Sea | Rosewood Red Sea". www.rosewoodhotels.com. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  24. "Ultra-exclusive brand Faena coming to The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia". Hotelier Middle East. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  25. Louch, Toby (2022-12-21). "The Red Sea: An Adventure Like No Other". Elite Traveler. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  26. "10 reasons to make The Red Sea your next holiday destination". living360.uk. 2022-12-14. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  27. "Beyond Sustainability: John Pagano". The CEO Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  28. "Scientific Paper details Marine Spatial Planning at The Red Sea Project". www.redseaglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  29. "Sustainable Tourism | Red Sea Global". www.redseaglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  30. "The Red Sea Development Company appoints AlFalah Ready Mix for the provision of low carbon concrete". www.redseaglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  31. "Landscape Nursery | Red Sea Global". www.redseaglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  32. Bhat, Divsha (2022-01-09). "Power Letters 2022: John Pagano, CEO, The Red Sea Development Company and Amaala". Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  33. Michaelson, Ruth (2019-08-06). "Oil built Saudi Arabia – will a lack of water destroy it?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  34. "Huge luxury Saudi resort goes 100pct renewables with one of world's biggest batteries". One Step Off The Grid. 2020-11-17. Archived from the original on 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
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