With the participation of major international and local companies in the tourism and hospitality sectors, the Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Public Investment Fund, announced the launch of a global tourism project in the Kingdom under the name “The Red Sea” project. The project aims to develop exceptional tourism resorts on more than 50 natural islands between the cities of Amlaj and Al Wajh, a few distances away from one of the Kingdom's natural reserves and dormant volcanoes in the Free Raha area.

The project aims to develop exceptional tourism resorts on more than 50 natural islands between the cities of Amlaj and Al Wajh.

A qualitative leap in the tourism economy

<The area on which the project will be built is considered one of the most beautiful and diverse natural sites in the world, to be a leading coastal destination, to promote the development of the tourism economy, which is one of the most important development sectors in Vision 2030, and the Red Sea project will contribute to a qualitative leap in the concept of tourism and the hospitality sector.The project is located on a number of pristine islands in the Red Sea, in addition to its proximity to the ruins of Madain Saleh, which is characterized by its architectural beauty and great historical importance. The vital location of the project and its proximity to the coast will give tourists and visitors to the project the opportunity to identify the hidden treasures in the region, including a nature reserve to explore the diversity of plant and animal life in the region. Adventure enthusiasts will be able to navigate the dormant volcanoes located next to the project area, and diving enthusiasts will be able to explore the abundant coral reefs in the surrounding waters.

The project's location and proximity to the coast will allow tourists and visitors to learn about the hidden treasures of the area.

Opening the gateway to the Red Sea to the world

The project will be governed by new standards that aspire to elevate global tourism by opening the gateway to the Red Sea to the world, to learn about its treasures and experience new adventures that attract local, regional and international tourists alike, making the project a center for everything related to leisure, health and relaxation, and an integrated model for a healthy and vibrant community.

The project will also restore sites in the area of the project. The heritage sites will be restored and equipped on a scientific basis to be ready to receive visitors. For example, a cap will be set on the number of visitors to be in the area at the same time in line with international best practices in the field of tourism and archaeology. In order to preserve the special and unique environmental character of the region, laws and mechanisms will be established regarding environmental sustainability, where natural resources will be preserved according to the best practices and standards applied globally.

Partnerships.

Partnerships with major international companies

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) will make the initial investments in this project and open the way for partnerships with major international companies, which will contribute to bringing new direct investments to the Kingdom, while seeking to attract and redirect Saudi tourism expenditures to the interior.

The project will attract the world's leading names in the field of tourism. The project will also attract the world's leading names in the tourism and hospitality sectors to employ their expertise, competencies and financial investments to enrich the experiences of this destination, provide more added value to its visitors, and maximize economic gains for the Kingdom.

Development of the airport.

Airport development, hotels and luxury residences

The Red Sea project will be developed as a special zone, where regulations will be applied in accordance with international best practices and expertise to enable the realization of the project's objectives, where the cornerstone will be laid in the third quarter of 2019, and the first phase will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022, a phase that will see the development of the airport, the port, the development of hotels and luxury residences, the completion of facilities and infrastructure, and transportation services (boats, seaplanes, etc.).

Red Sea project will be developed as a special zone, where regulations will be applied in accordance with international best practices and expertise to enable the realization of the project's objectives.

Summary of the general features of the project

• The project includes exceptional tourist resorts on more than 50 natural islands between the cities of Amalaj and Al Wajh.
• Located a few kilometers away from one of the Kingdom's natural reserves and dormant volcanoes in the Free Raha area.
• To pay attention to the ruins of Madain Saleh, which is characterized by its architectural beauty and great historical importance as it is located near the project.
• Exploring more tourist attractions and hidden treasures in the project area.
• The project will contribute to a qualitative shift in the concept of tourism and the hospitality sector in the Kingdom.
• The project will attract the world's leading names in the tourism and hospitality sectors to utilize their expertise, competencies and financial investments to enrich Red Sea tourism.
• The project will be governed by new standards.
• The project will be governed by new standards that aspire to elevate international tourism by opening the gateway to the Red Sea to the world.
• The foundation stone of the project will be laid in the third quarter of 2019 and the first phase will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• The Public Investment Fund will make the initial investments in this project and open the way for partnerships with major international companies.