Saudi Arabia unveils ambitious project The Red Sea

His royal highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, crown prince and deputy prime minister of Saudi Arabia, and chairman of the Public Investment Fund, has announced the launch of an international tourism project called The Red Sea.

Envisioned as an exquisite resort destination established across a lagoon of 50 untouched natural islands, The Red Sea will be situated on the site of one of the world’s last natural hidden treasures, between the cities of Umluj and Al Wajh, developed in partnership with the world’s leading hospitality firms.

Situated a few kilometres from one of the kingdom’s most diverse nature reserves and captivating dormant volcanoes in Harrat Al Rahat, The Red Sea will be a blissful coastal island retreat set against a backdrop of the ancient ruins at Mada’in Saleh, renowned for its beauty and historical significance.

Just minutes from its stunning coast, The Red Sea will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of the Kingdom, including a nature reserve that boasts stunning diversity of flora and fauna, located at the foothills of the dormant volcano nearby.

In addition,  an array of marine-oriented resort developments will allow for unparalleled scuba diving among the stunning coral reefs in the waters around The Red Sea.

With tourism representing the second most important sector in the kingdom, The Red Sea will spearhead the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s leisure industry, and as envisioned in Vision 2030, aims to diversify the Kingdom’s tourism offerings to create a year-round hospitality sector, while promoting cultural conservation and economic stimulation.

His royal highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

The Red Sea will serve as a centre of the wellness movement and a showcase for a healthy, engaged and vibrant society – all while setting new standards for sustainable development and environmental protection, which will be central to the development of the project.

To ensure the conservation of the natural environment in accordance with the highest standards of ecological best practices the number of visitors annually will be capped, while the heritage sites in the region will be scientifically restored to welcome guests.

The newly-mapped, semi-autonomous area will be governed by laws on par with international standards, with the initial ground-breaking expected in the third quarter of 2019.

Completion of phase one of the project – which will include the development of hotels and luxury residential units, as well as all logistical infrastructure, including air, land and sea transport hubs – is anticipated by the last quarter of 2022.