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Saudi Arabia launches mega Red Sea tourism project

Arabi

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JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), on Tuesday announced the launch of an international tourism project in the Kingdom called The Red Sea.



Envisioned as a resort built across a lagoon of 50 untouched islands, The Red Sea will be situated in one of the world’s last natural hidden treasures, between the cities of Umlaj and Al-Wajh. It will be developed in partnership with the world’s leading hospitality firms.
Situated just a few kilometers from one of the most diverse Saudi nature reserves and captivating dormant volcanoes in Harrat Al-Rahat, the resort promises to be a blissful coastal island retreat set against a backdrop of the ancient ruins at Mada’in Saleh, renowned for its beauty and historical significance.
Visitors will be able to explore hidden treasures, including a nature reserve that boasts a stunning diversity of flora and fauna at the foothills of the dormant volcano nearby.
An array of marine-oriented resort developments will allow for unparalleled scuba diving among stunning coral reefs. The project will form an archipelago that is home to environmentally protected coral reefs, mangroves and several endangered marine species, including the hawksbill sea turtle.
It will also boast dormant volcanoes, the most recently active of which has a recorded history of activity dating back to the 17th century AD.
The project’s nature reserve is inhabited by rare wildlife including leopards, wolves, wildcats and falcons. Also on offer will be parachuting, trekking and rock climbing.
With tourism representing the second most important sector in the Kingdom, The Red Sea will spearhead the diversification of the Saudi leisure industry.

In line with Vision 2030, it will diversify Saudi tourism offerings to create a year-round hospitality sector while promoting cultural conservation and economic stimulation.
The Red Sea will serve as a wellness center while setting new standards for sustainable development and environmental protection, which will be central to the project’s development.
To ensure the highest standard of environmental conservation, the number of visitors annually will be capped and heritage sites will be restored.
Laws on par with international standards will govern the newly mapped semi-autonomous area, with initial groundbreaking expected in the third quarter of 2019.
Completion of the project’s first phase is anticipated by the last quarter of 2022, which will include development of hotels, luxury residential units and all logistical infrastructure such as air, land and sea transport hubs.
The project will be developed with seed capital from the PIF, while partnerships with top-tier international companies will be formed.
This will attract the world’s leading names in hotel and tourism operations while contributing to Saudi economic growth. The project aims to generate SR15 billion ($4 billion) annually to the Saudi economy and create 35,000 jobs.


ArabNews
 
As Egypt, more likely it's for foreign tourism only! But it is a good initiative, to let the world have an inside look of Saudi Arabia....
 
Not trying to act more smug than necessary but I don't think that many countries are able to offer what KSA can offer to tourists (politics and a few temporary moronic laws aside), in particular in terms of marine life, beach and sea tourism.

Let alone fantastic weather all year round expect for June, July, August and September where temperatures (in particular in lesser mountainous areas - 50% of KSA is mountainous and in inland areas far away from the Red Sea) can reach 45 + celsius at the hottest days which is not something that everyone can cope with. At least the humidity is low which makes a world of difference, if you ask me and most humans.

Not a problem when the weather in those regions is absolutely fantastic for the remaining 8 months of the year.

In fact many Hijazi coastal cities have an excellent climate all year around.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wajh

Median yearly temperature of 24.5 degrees. Heaven on earth!

Add to that the ever present and ever increasing number of visitors during Hajj and Umrah (24/7 hours a week 365 days a year) and you have a future top 5 position, at least a top 10 position, when it comes to most visited countries by tourists. KSA is already in the top 20 today (18 if I am not wrong). Not bad, not bad. Once again something that few (in this case no other country) is in such a position.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings

So much potential. Nobody can deny this.

BTW, the visa laws are some of the harshest in the world. We need to change this.
 
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Here are a few examples. but the new project which is a mega-project will have many beach resorts like these ones.. most likely in the hundreds..

Dana Beach Resort (Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia)
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Movenpick resort al nawras jeddah
upload_2017-8-10_18-26-43.jpeg


upload_2017-8-10_18-27-59.jpeg
 

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Here are a few examples. but the new project which is a mega-project will have many beach resorts like these ones.. most likely in the hundreds..

Dana Beach Resort (Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia)
View attachment 417570

Movenpick resort al nawras jeddah
View attachment 417572

View attachment 417573

There has to be almost 500 photos of the coastline of KSA in this thread below:

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/exploring-saudi-arabias-marine-wonderland.251910/

50.000 + views.

The most important thing is that even anti-House of Saud elements from across the world, acknowledged the beauty in the video posted in post 1 and similar ones. This means that even those people would be ready to visit KSA one day if a few (I imagine) of the unwanted existing laws disappear which is a question of time.

Anyway there are 1.6 + billion Muslims out there but extending the number to potentially 7.5 billion tourists is obviously better and should and will be the goal. I am confident.

Anyhow KSA is in a unique position and MbS will seize the opportunities. I have no doubt about it. Saudi Vision 2030 is just the beginning. A very good beginning mind you.

Hopefully they won't screw the unique environment and nature up.



If not all good.

50 islands out of 1500 + islands in KSA (mainly located in the Red Sea). This is a good start but I worry that they will somehow be able to (they being humans - in particular large numbers of them) screw up the unique ecosystem of the Red Sea. The Red Sea is already one of the most busy sea routes in the world. Almost 20% of all the sea trade in the world goes through the Red Sea. That's a HUGE amount.
 
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The amount of cash Saudis spend on tourism outside can be internally better utilised.

Will boost the economy and create jobs for the locals.

Good welcome to this project
 
The amount of cash Saudis spend on tourism outside can be internally better utilised.

Will boost the economy and create jobs for the locals.

Good welcome to this project
This is one of the aims of this project in line with the Saudi 2030 vision..
 
This is one of the aims of this project in line with the Saudi 2030 vision..

Hmm 2030 is quite far away.

I have always thought you guys just have to go big all the time.

Sometimes short term goals are more important than ever.
 
Hmm 2030 is quite far away.

I have always thought you guys just have to go big all the time.

Sometimes short term goals are more important than ever.
Projects are going on as we speak.. the vision is global; it concerns all aspects of life in KSA..economy, culture, education, industrialisation and so on..
 
It is the right path.. no doubts about it..

PS: hope you had some good rest/vacation
 
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It is the right path.. not doubts about it..

PS: hope you had some good rest/vacation

Thanks bro. Been away for a few weeks but going away for a month next week again. Need all the holiday that I can get after finishing my master's degree in chemical engineering.

BTW I have not really followed events as closely as usual. It's good to disconnect. Would not mind a few weeks on some of those islands in this thread without internet and much contact with the remaining world.

How about you bro? Is everything well? Hopefully.
 
Thanks bro. Been away for a few weeks but going away for a month next week again. Need all the holiday that I can get after finishing my master's degree in chemical engineering.

BTW I have not really followed events as closely as usual. It's good to disconnect. Would not mind a few weeks on some of those islands in this thread without internet and much contact with the remaining world.

How about you bro? Is everything well? Hopefully.
Congrats on your Msc..Sure, one has to fill oneself with positive energy (you know what I mean!).. take your time to appreciate nature and listen to its sounds without any disturbances.. that is the best experience of life..
I am fine.. everything is in order here..
 
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