A unique collection of pristine ecosystems, Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline is now the site
of two of the Kingdom's most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations
The Red Sea is also home to a significant number of endangered and
critically endangered species, such as the halavi guitarfish, hawksbill sea turtle and
sooty falcon.2
The Red Sea
A 2,200km stretch of tropical waters dividing Africa and Asia, the Red Sea is home to
flourishing coral reefs, mangrove wetlands and subaquatic seagrass meadows, as well as
more than 1,000 species, many of which are native.
One of a kind
More than 14 per cent of fish species and 6 per cent of the corals in the Red
Sea are endemic to the location.1
As well as being a haven for biodiversity, the Red Sea is one of the world's busiest shipping
lanes: a vital artery for global trade and a region where new perspectives are emerging on
sustainable development for the preservation and regeneration of the marine environment, aka
the 'blue economy'.
More than 12 per cent of global seaborne cargo and 40 per cent of Asia's trade with
Europe transits through the Red Sea.3
Nowhere is the quest for balance and innovation more evident than along the western coastline of
Saudi Arabia, where two new destinations are aiming to set new standards for regenerative
development in coastal and maritime environments.
Red-billed tropicbird
A paradigm shift towards sustainability
Rather than merely trying to reduce or mitigate the environmental impact of development, a
regenerative approach adopts a holistic perspective on the needs of local communities and the
environment that focuses on restoration and enhancement.
Representing a paradigm shift in attitudes towards sustainability, regenerative
development adopts a longer view that resists and avoids the more immediate temptations of
over-development and over-tourism.
Osprey
We will run our destinations on 100 per cent renewable energy 24/7, making them the only
tourist developments of this size in the world to do so, while delivering a 30 per cent net
conservation benefit by 2040 and aligning with all the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
John PaganoGroup CEO, Red Sea Global
Our development survey
To establish a benchmark from which to assess its progress and impact, Red Sea Global conducted
an 11-month study of more than 200km of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline that falls within
the scope of flagship development projects The Red Sea and Amaala.
The widest developer survey to date to assess and mitigate impact on wildlife ecosystems, its
findings were published at the UN World Ocean Conference in June 2022 as part of an international
call for global ocean action.
Covering more than 32,000 sq km of unique terrestrial, coastal and marine habitat, The Red
Sea and Amaala destination areas include dormant volcanoes, mountain ranges, desert dunes, coral
reefs and 90 islets and islands.
The survey
Conducted between January and November 2021, Red Sea Global's baseline survey included 300 coral
reef sites, encompassing 100 sq km, and revealed a picture of unique habitats and many rare and
endangered species in need of protection, conservation and rehabilitation.
Whale sharkHumphead wrasseBrain coral
The survey
The largest single coral colony surveyed is 8m high and is estimated to be
around 600 years old
More than 300,000 fish were counted, of 280 different species
Sightings were made of the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, as well as
eight different shark species, including the endangered whale sharks and zebra
sharks
Around 25,000 pairs of breeding birds were surveyed, from 14 species. The survey
counted 41 breeding pairs of the near-threatened sooty falcon, 2 per cent of
the world's entire population
The survey also identified 200 nests of the critically endangered hawksbill sea
turtle
Marine spatial planning simulation
Before embarking on its plans for development, Red Sea Global partnered with the King
Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, to develop a
comprehensive marine spatial planning simulation, the largest ever undertaken, to inform their
final plan and to make sure that development and tourism play a positive role in securing the
region's biodiversity.
Tiger shark
The need for regenerative tourism
UN Environment research indicates that in a business-as-usual scenario, tourism will
generate a 154 per cent increase in energy consumption, 131 per cent in
greenhouse gas emissions, 152 per cent in water consumption and 251 per cent in
solid waste disposal by 2050.4
By focusing on regeneration and long-term sustainability, rather than short-term
returns, Red Sea Global will develop only 1 per cent of The Red Sea destination,
designating nine islands as special conservation zones to protect the species
that live and thrive there, and will develop just five per cent of Amaala.
Red Sea Global aims to deliver a 30 per cent net conservation benefit by 2040 through
the regulation of fisheries to rebuild fish stocks, the expansion of biologically diverse
habitats, and the use of electric-only marine and land vehicles to avoid pollution and noise.
The design of Coral Bloom, by international architectural studio
Foster + Partners, is inspired by Saudi Arabia's unique fauna and flora
Red Sea Global will also limit the number of tourists who are able to visit its
destinations, even while demonstrating the economic, environmental and socio-cultural benefits
of regenerative tourism. The developer is also working to achieve sustainable
consumption and production patterns along the whole length of its value chain.
The Coral Bloom concept forms part of the dolphin-shaped Shura
island, designed by Foster + Partners
Tourism is an important pillar for economic growth and development and plays a key
role in Saudi Arabia's strategic plans for diversification and sustainable development,
Vision 2030. Globally the sector comprises 10 per cent of GDP and 7 per cent
of exports, and it accounts for one in every 10 jobs worldwide.5
Central to Red Sea Global's vision of regenerative tourism and development are plans for
reef regeneration, a commitment to achieving net zero, the use of clean
energy, sustainable waste treatment and the development of lower-impact
architecture.
Red Sea International Airport by Foster + Partners
Our goal is not just to protect the natural assets across our development areas, but also to
actively enhance them. Our key ambitions are for The Red Sea and Amaala to become the
world's models for regenerative development
Dr Omar Al-AttasSEZ Head of Environmental Sustainability, Red Sea
Global
Red Sea Global is also building Turtle Bay, a small town that will
eventually be home to around 14,000 people who will work at the destination, as well as their
familiesFoster + Partners' design for Marine Life Institute on the Red
Sea coast
Red Sea Global is also building Turtle Bay, a small town that will
eventually be home to around 14,000 people who will work at the destination, as well as their
families
Created using lightweight materials with a low thermal mass, and manufactured offsite, The Red
Sea and Amaala's resorts will pioneer energy-efficient construction that minimises impact
on the environment. Both destinations will be powered by renewable energy, underpinned by
the world's largest battery storage system.
Foster + Partners' design for Marine Life Institute on the Red
Sea coast
Red Sea Global has worked with the international architectural studio Foster + Partners
to develop the world's first fully immersive experiential marine life centre at Amaala,
featuring one of the largest man-made reefs in the world, 40m long and 10m deep. The centre will
also house laboratories and a conservation-focused research centre.
Our proposals are respectful of the extreme environmental sensitivity of the region, taking a
light-touch approach that will have the least possible detrimental impact on the wonderful
biodiversity. The projects provide a unique opportunity to establish a design approach that
produces less waste while also creating environmentally responsive buildings
Gerard EvendenHead of Studio, Foster + Partners
We are not only expanding our footprint to help create massive economic opportunities -
valued at hundreds of billions worth of riyals - for the people of Saudi Arabia. We also
want to set new global standards in development and inspire the industry to do
better
John PaganoGroup CEO, Red Sea Global
Economic impact
On completion, The Red Sea and Amaala are predicted to contribute some 33bn riyals annually
to the Kingdom's economy and, to date, Red Sea Global has awarded more than 1,300
contracts worth nearly 32bn riyals (around $8.5bn), with some 70 per cent of their total
value flowing directly into the Saudi economy.
Red Sea Global has also successfully launched programmes geared towards the training and
employment of young Saudis, including a programme that has delivered on-the-job
training to more than 120 graduates over the past four years alongside 1,500
vocational training places.
