Project Overview

The Red Sea Project is an ambitious regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia. Red Sea Global (RSG) owns and built it under the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It is located on the West Coast of Saudi Arabia, and its expected cost is USD 200 billion. 

The project is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 and aims to become a top luxury destination, highlighting resorts, hotels, and residential properties. 

Phase I of the project includes an International airport and 16 iconic resorts within three islands and two inland sites. Altogether, it will offer nearly 3,000 hotels operated by globally renowned brands.  

Once completed in 2030, the Red Sea Project, spanning over 28,000 square kilometres, is envisaged to provide 50 hotels with 8,000 rooms and over 1,000 residential properties across 22 Islands and 6 inland. It will include 1,300 luxury residences and an international airport to ease travel.

Project background

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman first announced the project in July 2017. Construction began in February 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2030.

The top destinations of the Red Sea Port were opened in the following sequence:

First, the Red Sea International Airport (RSIA) opened in September 2023. Then, the first hotel, Six Senses Southern Dunes, opened in November 2023. Immediately after the hotel’s opening, the St. Regis Red Sea Resort was opened to the public in January 2024.

Further, two more destinations were opened to the public. The Shebara Resort opened in November 2024, and the Desert Rock Resort opened in early February 2025. This resort was the Second Inland and the Fifth overall destination of the project. 

Red Sea Project Scope

The Red Sea Project is a massive tourism project in Saudi Arabia that aims to become a top luxury destination and bring 150 million visitors annually by 2030. Being a part of the Saudi Vision 2030 programme, it focuses on environmental preservation. The project scope includes the following:

Tourism and Hospitality

• Hotels and Resorts: It will provide 50 hotels (expected to be completed by 2030). Phase I includes 16 hotels (likely to be completed by 2025). By the end of 2030, it will have over 8,000 hotel rooms.

• Luxury and Eco-Tourism Focus: It holds overwater villas, eco-lodges, and luxury resorts.

Infrastructure 

• Red Sea International Airport: RSI is a custom-fit airport that allows tourists to access destinations efficiently.

• Road Networks and Utilities: On completion, the Red Sea will witness advanced transportation, energy, and water systems, focusing on green technology.

• Renewable Energy: The destinations at the Red Sea are wholly powered by renewable energy, including wind and solar firms. 

Sustainability and Environment

• Coral Reef Protection: Development around the Red Sea protects coral reefs and marine life.

• No waste to the dump: The project aims for a zero-carbon footprint and no single-use plastics.

Economic Impact

• Job creation: It aims to create 70,000 + jobs by 2030.

• GDP Contribution: The Red Sea Project aims to add USD 5.3 billion annually to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.

Also Read: Qiddiya Project Riyadh

Red Sea Project Location

The Red Sea Project is located on the West Coast of Saudi Arabia. It has expanded nearly 28,000 square kilometres between Umluj and AI-Wajh. The Red Sea will witness numerous natural wonders, including dormant volcanoes, desert dunes, and mountain canyons. It is home to the world's fourth-largest barrier reef, which supports marine and coastal life.

Project Cost

The Red Sea Project is a luxury tourism destination on the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia. The estimated project cost is USD 200 billion, including resorts, hotels, and other amenities. 

The luxury resort project on the Red Sea Coast expects to spend USD 27 billion by 2030 to attract more tourists to the kingdom. The project aims to bring 150 million visitors a year by 2030. In 2023, the Red Sea Project experienced 109 million visitors.

The Top Destination of the Red Sea Project

Putting forward some unique and top experiences while saving the natural beauty of the region, the project aims to attract new travellers from around the world. The following are the top destinations of the Red Sea. 

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is the first resort to open, on January 8, 2024, at the Red Sea Project. When announced in 2018, Kengo Kuma and Associates came up with the design for the resort. The St. Regis is 22 km offshore from the Saudi mainland on the Ummahat Islands and outreach by a 25-minute aquatic seaplane from the Red Sea International Airport. It offers 90 overwater and beachfront villas with private pools, a spa, multiple dining options, and water sports.

Shebara Resort

The Shebara Resort, designed by Killa Designs, was opened in November 2024. It is a hyper-luxury eco-resort in Saudi Arabia, offering a unique blend of overwater and beachfront villas. With solar-powered lighting and sustainable design, the building centres on sustainability and a pristine marine environment. The resort is in the vibrant AI Wajh Lagoon, spotlighting 73 villas, including 38 over water and 35 beachfront retreats. 

Six Senses Southern Dunes

The Six Senses Southern Dunes is the first hotel under the Red Sea Project, which opened in November 2023. Its Architect is Foster + Partners, a British Architectural firm. The heart of the resort is an Oasis. The resort pays homage to the Nabataean heritage of the majestic desert surroundings near the Red Sea coast. The hotel offers 36 guest rooms and suites, as well as 40 pool villas.

Thuwal Private Retreat

Thuwal Private Retreat opened in 2024 and was sketched by Red Sea Global. This highly exclusive, ultra-personalized destination spans 1.7 hectares within a pristine coral reef. It combines ancestral traditions with modern luxury. It features a majestic three-bedroom villa and three sophisticated one-bedroom pavilions, each designed with expensive outdoor lounges that provide a captivating view of the Red Sea. 

Nujuma, a Ritz Calton Reserve

Najuma, a Ritz Calton Reserve on Ummhat Island, was opened on 26th May 2024. Design credits go to Kengo Kuma and Associates. As part of the Red Sea Project, the reserve offers a unique mix of Saudi Culture, nature, and hospitality. The name 'Najuma' means 'Stars' in Arabic, reflecting the resort's focus on the celestial beauty of the Red Sea Sky. The villa is designed with a seashell motif on land and over water. 

Red Sea International Airports (RSI) 

The Red Sea International Airport, opened in September 2023, is a gateway to luxury tourism destinations across Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Coast. Its architect is Fosters + Partners.  The airport offers a digital and coherent travelling experience with features like biometric technology and mobile app management. RSI is powered by renewable energy from solar firms in the Red Sea.

Desert Rock

The Desert Rock Resort opened its doors to the public in early February 2025. A resort designed by Oppenheim Architecture blends seamlessly into the landscape. Some villas seem to hang from rock pinnacles, while others are cut into the mountains. There are 64 keys, consisting of 54 villas and 10 suites, and offer uninterrupted views of the horizon.

Red Sea Project Contractors

Investors in the Red Sea Project

Benefits of the Red Sea Project

Some of the key benefits of the Red Sea Project are as follows: 

• The Red Sea Project reduced the dependence on oil revenue by supporting Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia. It attracts foreign investment and boosts its tourism sector. 

• All the destinations are developed with a focus on environmental preservation. The resorts are eco-friendly. Thus, the rate of effect on the environment is the lowest. It protects coral reefs and marine life.

• The project offers pristine beaches, coral reefs, and desert landscapes. It will compete with the top global resorts in the Maldives and Seychelles. 

• It will provide luxury hotels, resorts, and entertainment hubs, along with improved transportation and connectivity facilities at RSI Airport.

• The project highlights Saudi Arabia’s heritage and tradition and promotes sustainable tourism practices. 

Conclusion

The Red Sea Project is not just a tourism development project. It is an innovative representation of sustainable development, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in eco-friendly innovations and hospitality. 

The project represents a remarkable achievement in sustainable luxury tourism, economic diversification, and environmental conservation in Saudi Arabia. By influencing renewable energy, eco-friendly designs, and cutting-edge technology, it sets worldwide standards for liable tourism.

Along with its economic and environmental impact, the project also adds to Saudi Arabia’s global appeal to reduce reliance on oil. The Red Sea Project expects to create 70,000 + jobs, boost local communities, and protect the marine ecosystem. 

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