The Red Sea is pioneering a brand-new luxury regenerative tourism destination along the west coast of Saudi Arabia. One of the world’s last true hidden treasures, The Red Sea is surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system and spans over 28,000-square-kilometers with an archipelago of more than 90 untouched islands, pristine beaches, dormant volcanos, sweeping desert dunes, mountain canyons and historical cultural sites. These landscapes are as varied as they are breathtaking. The Red Sea is a crossroad of land and sea with a rich cultural backdrop full of fascinating history. Offering world-leading experiences alongside natural simplicity, and underpinned by a smart framework, guests are guaranteed enriching escapes with a boutique twist. Saudi Arabia Red Sea

The Red Sea will be ready to welcome the first guests in 2023. By 2030 it will be home to 50 hotels, 8,000 rooms, up to 1,000 residential properties and its own international airport. Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project (now known as Red Sea Destination) will not impose any restrictions on women within the destination, according to one of the project’s top travel chiefs.

Red Sea Global‘s senior travel trade director Loredana Pettinati hosted a briefing about the project in the UAE at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences for a room of press, designers and architects. After a description of the destination and how it will develop, Pettinati took questions from the crowd.

After answering questions about the Red Sea’s sustainability credentials she was asked by one of the people in the room about any of the current regulations in the Kingdom that might change to achieve the country’s tourism goals.

To answer the question, Pettinati said: “As a European person I can tell you, I feel very comfortable. There will not be restrictions for women. Across Saudi Arabia, we do not have to wear an abaya; women are allowed to drive. There will be no distinction between women and men entering any facility, anywhere. Staying in hotels, if you’re not married will not be a problem. We will not ask a man and woman booking a hotel if they’re married or not. You will be able to wear bikinis at the Red Sea Destination.”

THE RED SEA destination is 500km north of Jeddah, between the towns of Al Wajh and Umluj. With its own dedicated Red Sea International Airport, THE RED SEA destination is easily accessible to visitors from around the world.

The Saudi Red Sea Authority Saudi Arabia Red Sea

In December 2021, a dedicated Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) was formed to regulate the Red Sea Destination. Chaired by Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism, SRSA’s activities will play an important role in stimulating the creation of a “prosperous local tourism economy along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline while preserving and protecting the sea’s pristine environment”.

The Authority also puts the Red Sea in its own economic zone, a typical practice for giving areas different laws and regulations to the wider country.

Red Sea Destination hotels

Upon completion in 2030, the site will host 50 hotels offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and approximately 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. Saudi Arabia Red Sea

The Red Sea Project’s first phase of development is on track for completion by the end of 2023. This involves a total of 16 hotels set to offer 3,000 hotel rooms across five islands and two inland sites.

At the time of writing, 13 of the 16 hotels have been announced. They are:

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