RIYADH — Saudi Arabia boasts of having 3,400 km long charming and serene coastlines along the Red Sea in the west and the Arabian Gulf in the east. The beaches n these coastlines are distinguished by their natural beauty that attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year. Since the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, these coastlines have been accorded great attention with the authorities implementing massive environment and tourism development projects. Untamed stretches of coral-filled Red Sea Coast is going to witness several mega projects, which are part of the ambitious Vision 2030, and the most important among them are NEOM, Amaala, and the Red Sea projects. These projects are expected to bring about bright future for domestic tourism along the beaches and pristine blue waters. The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) recently launched the "Summer of Saudi Arabia" season titled "Tanaffus" or "Breathing" to boost domestic tourism with a focus on tapping the huge potential of major tourist destinations along the coastlines. This program, which covers major coastal cities and regions such as Eastern Province, Jeddah, Tabuk, Yanbu, Rabigh and Umluj, is aimed at attracting Saudi citizens and expatriates to spend their summer vacation period to these impressively beautiful beaches. In the northern region of Tabuk, the beaches of Haql, which is situated on the northwestern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, and Umluj are known for their white sands. The people of these regions call these serene beaches as "Maldives of Saudi Arabia." There are several enchanting islands, forming icons of magic and beauty. On moving southward, there lies Yanbu, "the Pearl of the Red Sea" with its unique tradition and originality, the oyster island, marina of dreams, turquoise garden and other attractive destinations. Tourists can enjoy the beauty when they move further south to Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, which hosts many beach resorts and several tourist attractions. There are around 150 beautiful islands off the 1,000 km long coasts of the Arabian Gulf. The coastlines boast of eye-catching beaches such as Uqair Beach where greeneries meld with the blue waters, while the Half-Moon Beach is known for its charming nature in which its shiny yellow sands embrace the Gulf waters for a breathtaking view. There are also beaches of Al-Khobar, Qatif, Ras Tanura, and Jubail, which are characterized by their calmness and beauty of nature, that are major attractions to marine enthusiasts.
