The Red Sea is a natural gem, a place where cultures have met and mingled since the dawn of time, and where wildlife flourishes amidst pristine landscapes. The region, dotted with ancient petroglyphs, vibrant mangroves, and colourful coral reefs, calls for responsible stewards to protect and nurture its environment and the rich cultural heritage it houses. Enter Red Sea Global (RSG), a renowned development company guided by the philosophy of putting people and the planet first, crafting unique destinations and resorts that unveil the treasures of the Red Sea to the world while preserving its environmental and cultural integrity.
The mastermind behind two of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, Red Sea Global sets the bar high in spearheading a new model of development. Their projects revolve around enhancing the wellbeing of customers, communities, and environments, seamlessly interweaving luxury and sustainability. Both destinations are set to become pinnacle locations for luxury, wellness, and sustainability.
As might a curator, RSG is developing the Red Sea as a luxury regenerative tourism destination to highlight the area’s cultural richness and biodiversity. Meanwhile, Amaala is an exclusive luxury wellness and sports retreat that promises a transformative wellness journey to its guests set amid a landscape of untouched nature and world-class yachting opportunities.
“The Red Sea is a truly remarkable corner of the globe, where nature and communities thrive and grow together. It is a unique area and there is so much to explore and unlock,” says Mohammed AlNemer, Manager of Adventure Operations at Red Sea Global. “This is why, as guardians of this wonderful landscape, we are committed to a people and planet philosophy, leveraging the most innovative concepts and technologies to deliver projects that actively enhance the wellbeing of guests, communities and environments.”
Alongside this, and as part of its business, Red Sea Global remains a sincere curator of Saudi culture. From foot-tapping dances to archaeological marvels, they showcase Saudi Arabia’s heritage in an immersive fashion. “The Red Sea is a big open-air museum that should be enjoyed and appreciated by as many people as possible,” AlNemer muses. “There’s a massive sense of the unknown here — not just for international visitors, but for us Saudis, too. There’s so much to discover and only now are we beginning to unlock many aspects of our cultural history.”
RSG’s efforts are not just restricted to property development; they extend to preserving archaeological sites and narratives. As part of their conservation initiatives, they are developing trails that tell the stories of these ancient lands. Under the umbrella of Red Sea Global, projects like the newly unveiled adventure sports brand, Akun, are playing a crucial role in this journey. The Akun team is cultivating new experiences from gravel and mountain biking to hiking and climbing, all while ensuring these activities are ecologically considerate and closely tied to local communities. AlNemer speaks passionately about developing conservation and cultural trails that share the rich stories of these ancient lands.
He highlights their mesmerising stargazing experience that provides a rare and unobstructed tableau of the cosmos, “We’re developing our stargazing experience, which will be made extraordinary thanks to our dark skies ambitions. Further development will include archeology tours, wildlife photography and conservation tours,” elaborates AlNemer. “Red Sea Global’s efforts to protect the unique biodiversity and historical riches of the area are truly essential.”
RSG’s diligent surveys of the area’s wildlife ecosystems and archaeological sites have unveiled fascinating discoveries, including the remains of 80-million-year-old marine reptiles. “In Saudi Arabia, understanding the past is essential for facing the future with confidence. This belief drives people’s efforts to protect and preserve The Red Sea’s unique biodiversity and rich historical value. The knowledge gained from the surveys informs our blueprint for achieving this goal,” AlNemer shares. Their mission extends to preserving cultural sites and stories, which play a vital role in enhancing the Kingdom’s history and cultural understanding for guests.
Their liaison with Warner Bros. Discovery furthers their reach, broadcasting Saudi Arabia’s cultural allure and pristine landscapes to a global audience. “We are producing a series of short films designed to showcase our efforts in creating a long-term legacy of regenerative tourism and the vitality of Saudi culture. Our team was also able to present the findings of the surveys conducted on the area and highlight the unique history of this region,” shares Nick King, the Group Chief Development Officer. At the heart of Red Sea Global’s business model, regenerative tourism stands as a protagonist. It’s championed by the likes of King, who espouses their vision of fostering rejuvenation that reverberates through the environment, local society, and the economy. He elaborates, “We are committed to showing how luxury tourism can meet sustainability goals and benefit local communities.”
The WAMA Sailing Club and the ‘Coral Cadets’ program are just two examples of their sustainable initiatives, both allowing guests to experience the Red Sea’s beauty while learning about and contributing to conservation efforts.
King further emphasises that the experiences RSG creates for visitors are reflections of their people and planet philosophy. “It means knowing that during the entirety of their stay, each activity, resort and experience has been created in a way that is a light touch on the environment and that they enrich our local communities.” The unique experiences on offer at The Red Sea and Amaala are certain to attract nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, cultural explorers, and wellness seekers from across the globe.
The experiences RSG crafts for visitors are deeply reflective of their ‘people and planet’ philosophy. Through their projects at The Red Sea and Amaala, the company aims to stimulate the local economy, projected to contribute 33 billion riyals annually, with 70% of the total contract value awarded to date having been granted to KSA-registered vendors.
So, what can visitors expect to take away from their experiences at their Red Sea destinations? King captures it perfectly, “We hope that our visitors leave with a sense of wonder, captivated by the beauty, diversity and uniqueness that we can offer, matched with unparalleled luxury in a country that should be seen by all.”
RSG is scripting a fresh narrative for Saudi Arabia, one that speaks of cultural vibrancy and sustainable affluence. Each undertaking, discovery, and partnership pens a new chapter in this unfolding epic. AlNemer concludes with a warm invitation, “Step into this extraordinary journey, and immerse yourself in the charm of the Red Sea and Amaala destinations. Welcome to the unfolding chronicle of Red Sea Global.”
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