Promising minimum human impact on precious eco-systems, yet offering luxury tourism and sustainability, Red Sea Global (RSG) is forging a new model of development in Saudi Arabia. TD connected with Tracy Lanza, Group Head of Brand Development, Red Sea Global, to find out more.
Travel Daily Media (TD): Kindly elaborate on the development forays by Red Sea Global in tourism and hospitality.
Tracy Lanza (TL): At Red Sea Global, we are leading the way in forging a new model of development with the aim of prioritizing people and the planet. We are making use of the most innovative technologies and concepts that facilitate our transformative vision for sustainable tourism. Our portfolio includes two world-leading destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, that aim to enhance Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism and sustainability offering.
A significant ambition for both destinations is to achieve a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040 by protecting and enhancing the key habitats crucial to biodiversity. We continuously monitor the ecosystems that we’re working in to ensure that we are not negatively impacting these environments and can instead seek to have regenerative effects.
Both The Red Sea and Amaala will be fully powered by renewable energy, the only tourism developments of this size in the world to do so. Spanning over 28,000-square-kilometers, The Red Sea destination is made up of more than 90 islands, out of which only 22 will be developed, leaving 75% untouched and designating nine as special conservation zones.
TD: Which novel one-of-a-kind tourism attractions can visitors look forward to in these projects?
TL: We are presenting a unique way to experience travel in parts of the world untouched by mass tourism, where guests can explore pristine beaches and secret sandbars scattered among the fringes of unknown islands, majestic mountains and sweeping desert dunes. We have an unwavering commitment to offer our guests once-in-a-lifetime and world-leading experiences and opportunities.
To achieve this, and control human impact on these precious eco-systems, we are developing our own experiences brands, WAMA & Galaxea, which focus on water sports and diving, plus Akun, our adventure brand which will oversee desert and land activities from hiking to biking, trail running, climbing, e-biking, stargazing and desert camping, to name a few. Each of our experiences has been designed to enhance the amazing and unique topography that we are set in, and to ensure we are acting in a way that is gentle and responsive to the natural environment.
We are also deeply proud of the work that we are doing to make our destinations accessible for all. This includes working towards ensuring our experiences are fully inclusive for those who have disabilities or require additional support. We want everyone to enjoy uncompromised luxury hospitality and once-in-a lifetime moments, including sailing, kayaking and diving among shipwrecks and coral reefs, as well as exploring the inland environment and stargazing in the desert.
TD: Can you share some of the pilot technologies in sustainability being used in the developments by you?
TL: We believe that sustainability is no longer enough. We need to go beyond conserving the status quo, and instead make positive changes for the health of our planet. This requires us to embrace innovation and trialing next generation ideas.
For instance, we are working with ZeroAvia to develop seaplanes powered by hydrogen fuel cells. We are also running a pilot program using Partanna’s carbon negative concrete pavers at our landscape nursery – its technology not only avoids carbon emissions, but naturally removes it from the atmosphere.
We have also made the commitment that that The Red Sea and Amaala will be powered by sunlight, day and night. No other destination of our scale has attempted this before, but we have now installed almost 750,000 solar panels across our five farms, representing a completion rate of 97 percent, demonstrating that it truly is possible.
TD: What are the different phases of development that RSG is looking at? What is likely to be ready by 2024?
TL: Our flagship project, The Red Sea, is on track to welcome its first guests this year, with the opening of the first hotel Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, which will be followed by Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve and St. Regis Red Sea Resort. Our international airport, Red Sea International will also open in the first phase, beginning with domestic travel within Saudi Arabia. Once completed, it will support international routes. In full, Phase One will include 16 hotels with 3,000 rooms across five islands and two inland sites.
Our other development, the ultra-luxury wellness destination, Amaala, is due to open in 2024. We have recently announced partnerships with some of the world’s leading wellness and luxury hotel brands to deliver bespoke wellbeing retreats. These partners include leading longevity clinic, Clinique La Prairie; world-class wellness resort operator, Jayasom; and the renowned Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
TD: What global expansion plans do you have in the pipeline?
TL: Red Sea Global is focused on delivering our two exceptional destinations The Red Sea and Amaala. Last year we announced a growing portfolio of projects stretching along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, with more than five additional projects already under feasibility study, entering masterplan competition phase, or at which construction has already started.
TD: What sets RSG apart from other developers?
TL: Red Sea Global’s vision is to become the world’s most responsible developer and set the global benchmark for sustainable and regenerative luxury tourism. We have used a ‘science-first’ approach to developing our destinations, enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape, working with local knowledge and leading conservationists, specialists in the luxury hospitality and experience sector. Our goal is to inspire the industry to reimagine boundaries and create a better world for people and planet.
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