RIYADH — What was once a distant dream five years ago has materialized into a breathtaking reality as the Red Sea destination opens its doors to the world, marking a historic milestone in Saudi Arabia's journey toward becoming a premier global tourist destination. Established in 2018 as one of Saudi Arabia's visionary giga-projects, The Red Sea is set to redefine luxury travel, offering an exclusive and diverse experience that aligns with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030. The recent opening signifies a monumental step forward in realizing the promise of Vision 2030, showcasing the destination's natural diversity through the 'See beyond' campaign — a world of adventure, luxury, and tradition beyond the horizon. Led by CEO John Pagano since its announcement in 2018, The Red Sea Project has emerged as one of the most deliverable projects on time among other giga-projects. The project has achieved several milestones, including the endorsement of the project's masterplan by King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman unveiling of Coral Bloom designs, and the expansion to Red Sea Global, among others. The first phase of the project includes the opening of three luxurious resorts: The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, Six Senses Southern Dunes, and Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve. At the heart of this extraordinary destination lies The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, situated on the secluded Ummahat Island. With 90 avant-garde villas nestled amid a thriving coral reef, this resort offers an exquisite living experience accessible by a short boat or seaplane ride. Dedicated to preserving a diverse ecosystem, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort provides high-tech fitness facilities, a kids club, and a state-of-the-art spa and pool. The St. Regis Butler Service ensures personalized attention, while three distinct restaurants offer exceptional fine dining. Adjacent to the Oasis complex, Six Senses Southern Dunes complements the landscape with 36 guest rooms, suites, and 40-pool villas inspired by the dunes' shape. The interiors reflect the rich tones and textures of the Saudi Arabian desert. The Red Sea promises an array of seamless, personalized experiences, allowing guests to explore ecosystems above and below the water. Activities provided by RSG's subsidiary brand, WAMA, include scuba diving, PADI dive courses, and snorkeling excursions. On land and in the sky, Akun presents diverse adventures such as gravel biking, trail running, and hiking. The destination's unique cultural heritage comes to life as guests engage with the local community. Cultural experiences include art installations, stargazing, farmers' markets, and culinary adventures. Other nature-focused experiences include astrophotography, bird watching, mangrove seeding, and turtle hatch monitoring. Spanning 28,000 square kilometers, The Red Sea boasts more than 90 pristine islands, dormant volcanoes, mountain canyons, and historical sites. With its own international airport, the destination is reachable in three hours by 250 million people, making it a seamless luxury escape where Europe, Asia, and Africa converge. Upon full completion in 2030, The Red Sea destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, F&B, and leisure facilities. The project celebrated the momentous opening by welcoming a delegation of Saudi ministers and visionary leaders as the first guests of the destination. They landed at Red Sea International Airport (RSI) on Wednesday morning aboard a special-edition liveried SAUDIA flight from Riyadh, bearing the prestigious number SV2030, symbolizing the significance of this moment in achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030. RSG also marked the occasion with the take-off of the first seaplane flight operated by its subsidiary company, Fly Red Sea, designed to transport guests across crystal-clear waters to The Red Sea's island resorts. The inauguration of The Red Sea destination signifies not only a leap forward in luxury tourism but also a testament to the transformative vision of Vision 2030.
