Tag Archives: red sea global

Red Sea Global announced that Saudi Arabia’s newest luxury resort, Shebara, and the fourth to open its doors at The Red Sea destination will be welcoming guests from November 2024. Shebara, the first to open of RSG’s owned and operated resorts, is built to offer luxury, sustainability, and innovation converging to redefine how tourism is delivered. The resort provides direct access to an extraordinary marine environment where guests can enjoy diving in some of the most pristine, biodiverse waters in the world. Its unrivaled hospitality is rooted in the Saudi tradition of Hafawah – which encapsulates generosity, consideration, and kindness – offering guests unique, timeless, and extraordinary experiences. “We are immensely proud to open Shebara to the world, yet another remarkable milestone for Red Sea Global and Saudi tourism. This luxury and truly one-of-a-kind resort embodies our commitment to innovative design and sustainable tourism. I am genuinely excited for our first guests to experience the unparalleled beauty and serenity of Shebara, where every detail has been crafted to create unforgettable memories,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. The stunning Red Sea setting will ensure guests are provided with an experience far beyond the ordinary. Shebara’s 73 overwater and beachfront villas shimmer in the bright sunshine, appearing as if they were a string of pearls floating above the turquoise waters of the Red Sea. Beyond the unparalleled natural beauty that surrounds the resort, Shebara invites guests to immerse themselves in luxury, from taking advantage of the premium amenities, including a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, to experiencing exceptional cuisine, delivered by world-class chefs, such as Michelin starred Marco Garfagnini. Guests can also enjoy an exceptional nature-inspired spa sanctuary with 5 luxurious treatment …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a partnership with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation (SCHF) to boost adventure tourism across the Red Sea region. The collaboration will be activated through Akun, RSG’s adventure sports brand, which is responsible for all hiking, climbing and adventure experiences across RSG’s destinations. The partnership will create opportunities to elevate the guest experience at The Red Sea, as well as provide training and certification pathways for climbing and hiking guides. “Modern luxury tourism is as much about adventure as it is about comfort. Our partnership with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation is ensuring that Akun can offer invigorating experiences that complement the elegance of our resorts in a safe and professional manner. Together, we are propelling the adventure tourism industry across the Red Sea region,” said Nicholas King, Group Chief Development Officer at Red Sea Global. SCHF is the national governing body for all aspects of rock climbing and mountaineering in Saudi Arabia. Through this partnership, SCHF trainees will have the chance to apply their skills in real-world settings through work placements and internships with Akun. In return, SCHF is providing qualified trainers for temporary training support as well as permanent recruitment. Yasmin Gahtani, Managing Director at SCHF, said: “Saudi Arabia has some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, especially along the Red Sea coast. We want to help Saudis and the world discover this dramatic terrain by opening it to exhilarating, yet safe, climbing and hiking experiences. Through this partnership, we can make Saudi and the Red Sea a must-visit destination for the most avid climbers, hikers and thrill-seekers.” The collaboration will see RSG’s destinations activated through a range of local, regional, and international …

Red Sea Global (RSG) with Zain KSA and the French Serge Ferrari Group, has announced a new technical breakthrough to deliver a groundbreaking digital experience at Ummahat Island. Through this strategic partnership, which aims to maximize joint sustainability efforts, RSG and Zain KSA have designed and installed innovative telecom towers to provide visitors with an unprecedented communication experience that combines speed and efficiency of service. At the same time, the towers are fully blended with the aesthetic elements of the island, ensuring that guests enjoy an exceptional experience on the white beaches of Ummahat, with its charming turquoise waters and stunning landscapes. Completion of the towers coincides with the opening of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, with Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve, also located on the island, preparing to welcome its first guests imminently. “Today, we are developing a future of stunning destinations with putting people and planet at the center. As we aspire to be leaders in sustainable development and environmental responsibility around the world, we are well aware that achieving this ambitious goal requires being surrounded by partners who share a common development vision, a common ethical and social commitment, as well as a desire for innovation and uniqueness. Our strategic partnership with Zain KSA, a leading provider of telecommunications and digital services, is once again yielding an unprecedented technological milestone. We are confident that we have a partner capable of turning all our digital ambitions into reality, through its extensive experience in innovation in the telecommunications and digital services sector,” said Group Head of Technology at Red Sea Global, Dr. Ahmed Al Suhaili. The project had four main objectives: provide an ideal 5G service; enhance the island’s …

Red Sea Global (RSG) revealed Thuwal Private Retreat, an exclusive, buy-out only island destination set to welcome guests next year. Located on a pristine 1.7-hectare sandy islet in a spectacular coral archipelago on the Red Sea coast, the intimate destination offers stunning natural beauty complemented by discreet architecture, offering ultimate luxury in complete privacy. The island resort boasts a spacious main three-bedroom villa, three one-bedroom suites, a beach club, gym and wellness center. The curated travel experience begins as soon as guests arrive, entering via a private jetty to be greeted by the guest experience team at a stunning welcome center. “Thuwal Private Retreat has been created to allow guests the chance to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, and instead reconnect with their closest companions. Our belief is that the sublime Red Sea coast combined with tailored luxury experiences will deliver a peerless escape for the most discerning travelers,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. The creation of Thuwal Private Retreat represents a new phase for Red Sea Global, with the destination sitting separately to The Red Sea and Amaala, and as a wholly RSG-owned brand. There are no third-party hospitality or hotel operators involved for the first time in RSG’s development history. “This is a milestone for us personally. It is the latest project we can reveal since we announced our expanded portfolio of projects last year and it is significantly advanced in terms of delivery. It is also the first time we are creating a destination owned and operated end-to-end by the expert team here at Red Sea Global, from development and planning to accommodation and guest services,” added Mr. Pagano. In line …

Red Sea Global, The Red Sea and Amaala signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and daa International, the operator of Red Sea International (RSI) airport, that will see SAUDIA become the first airline to operate in and out of the Red Sea International airport (RSI). RSI is on track to open this year along with the first three resorts at The Red Sea destination. Initially it will open for domestic flights to and from Riyadh and later Jeddah, before expanding to handle international flights from 2024. “In 2016, His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, set out a vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A vision for a thriving country, one that was recognized as a global hub, where people from all around the world would come to experience the best of Saudi culture, hospitality and nature,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. “When the first commercial flight lands at Red Sea International, it won’t just be a point of personal pride for Red Sea Global. It will be a milestone moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in making that vision a reality. It is fitting, therefore, that the Kingdom’s flag carrier, SAUDIA, will be first to operate from our destination,” said John Pagano, Group CEO, Red Sea Global.” The agreement will see SAUDIA commence regular scheduled services to and from RSI. It also provides a framework for the three organizations to undertake joint research on the use of Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Red Sea International Airport. The use of electric vertical take-off and landing jets (eVTOL) to reduce emissions from air travel to …

Red Sea Global and Zain KSA have unveiled the world’s first zero-carbon 5G network at the Six Senses Southern Dunes resort at The Red Sea. The zero-carbon 5G network, designed exclusively for The Red Sea, is the latest technological innovation at the resort. Designed with both people and planet in mind, the revolutionary 5G network will bring guests the highest speeds for 5G connectivity in the region and be powered by 100% renewable energy from over 760,000 solar panels that Red Sea Global has built to power the entire 28,000km2 destination. “We aspire to be global pioneers of regenerative tourism development, adopting 100% renewable energy at our flagship destination, The Red Sea, and working towards the achievement of a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040. These ambitious goals demand ambitious partners, and our collaboration with Zain KSA transcends telecommunications, extending into sustainability and environmental protection,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. ” “Zain KSA has demonstrated a deep understanding of our requirements and provided us with the services and solutions necessary to achieve our strategic objectives. Together, we are determined to make a meaningful impact that sets new standards in sustainable development,” Mr. Pagano added. Designed using innovative 3D printing technology, the project will achieve three primary goals: preserving the environment, reducing emissions by utilizing renewable energy, and mitigating visual distortion. The towers have been built to blend harmoniously with The Red Sea’s unique and vibrant landscape. Inspired by the surrounding rock formations, the exterior aesthetic of the towers seamlessly interweaves into the resort’s natural habitat, ensuring minimal visual impact and safeguarding the project’s environmental integrity. Eng. Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Deghaither, CEO of Zain KSA, said: ” …

Red Sea Global (RSG) successfully opened its first mangrove nursery. The project will support the delivery of RSG’s aim to plant 50 million mangrove trees by 2030. The initiative closely aligns with the national objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and RSG’s commitment to conserving and revitalizing the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, underpinned by an overarching ambition to deliver a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040. “We hold the utmost respect for the environment in which we operate and recognize it as our most valuable asset. It is our shared obligation to not only safeguard it, but also proactively enhance it wherever possible. The successful opening of our Mangrove Nursery is a testament to that unyielding dedication to the preservation and rejuvenation of the Red Sea coastline,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “While we will continue to explore novel approaches, embrace cutting-edge methodologies, and utilize innovate technology, often nature already provides the greatest solutions. The power of mangrove forests to store carbon, to manage flooding and stabilize coastlines, and to provide shelter for fish and other organisms, makes them one of nature’s super ecosystems. Our Mangrove Nursery will increase numbers of mangroves and boost biodiversity, ensuring we reach the environmental ambitions we have set ourselves.” The seedlings will be cared for in the nursery for approximately eight months until they grow to 80cm, at which point they will be carefully transplanted in designated mangrove parks within the destination. RSG’s experts chose to cultivate native mangrove species to increase the chances of survival, such as the Rhizophora Mucronate (red mangrove) and the Avicenna Marina (gray mangrove). Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at RSG, …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a strategic partnership with North Sails. “Bringing world-class water sports to The Red Sea demands partnering with the very best in the business. North Sails has a glowing track record, supplying leading teams in the world’s greatest sailing competitions, including The Ocean Race, with high-performance equipment and kit. Our collaboration intends to go beyond this to encompass support for our ambitions to protect and enhance the world’s oceans, starting with our own Red Sea,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. A signing ceremony between RSG and North Sails Apparel took place at the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in Genoa, where RSG is the Regenerative Project Partner. The WAMA capsule collection by North Sails Apparel provides a full range of uniforms as well as accessories such as crew bags, backpacks, and laptop cases. The partnership will first see North Sails Apparel provide RSG’s water sports brand, WAMA, with Performance Apparel for all sailing and water sports staff. The collaboration will expand to retail, merchandise and working with the wider North Sails Group across tech, innovation and delivering kite, foil, sails and apparel, footwear and accessories, as well as working collaboratively on events, community engagement and a shared commitment to the protection and enhancement of the marine environment. North Sails Apparel’s commitment to sustainability makes it an ideal partner for RSG. The company is a certified B Corp, demonstrating its commitment to the highest standards of environmental and social governance. It was one of the signatories of the Fashion Pact, a coalition of fashion and luxury brands committed to science-based environmental targets. Most of its polyester and nylon (96 percent) is made …

Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has agreed a pilot project to lay Partanna’s carbon negative concrete pavers at its landscape nursery. Partanna is the pioneer of the world’s first carbon negative concrete, with technology that not only avoids carbon emissions, but naturally removes it from the atmosphere. RSG has agreed a pilot project for the manufacture, delivery and installation of an initial 11,000 carbon negative pavers. The pavers will be placed at RSG’s landscape nursery, the largest in the region at one million m2, which is set to grow more than 30 million plants by 2030 to landscape The Red Sea and Amaala destinations. “We believe that sustainability is no longer enough. We need to find ways to restore and regenerate the planet. That is why we have committed to increasing the net conservation benefit at our destinations by 30 percent through the enhancement of habitats that ensure biodiversity can flourish, and to being carbon neutral when we become fully operational. Green technologies such as Partanna’s carbon negative concrete could play a crucial role in helping us achieve these ambitious aims and even going one step further to become carbon negative,” said John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer at Red Sea Global. The product supply agreement and first pilot scheme follow a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two organizations at COP27 in Egypt last year. Under the arrangement, both parties will scope out future pilot projects – including applications of Partanna’s ocean-resilient concrete as an infrastructure solution to coral reef restoration projects at Red Sea Global. Using recycled ocean water brine in its …

Red Sea Global (RSG) has become the first Saudi hospitality entity to achieve the prestigious Green Key certification for its Turtle Bay Hotel at The Red Sea. Turtle Bay Hotel is a self-operated property with 90 employees – 50 percent of whom are Saudi nationals from the local community, and 30 percent are Saudi females. The hotel was officially opened in September 2021 and is an advocate for training young Saudi talent entering the hospitality sector. “As we shape the blueprints for regenerative, responsible tourism, we continue to root our efforts in transparency and accountability. The Green Key certification demonstrates we are being true to our word and living up to the expectations we set ourselves for sustainable growth. Such critical evaluations are key to holding us to account, while galvanizing the sector towards a collective journey into a new era of regeneration,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. The world’s leading independent certification for excellence in sustainable tourism was awarded to the hotel in recognition of exceptional efforts towards environmental protection, conservation, and regeneration, as driven by RSG’s pioneering approach to responsible development. The hotel was independently assessed by the Green Key Global, a leading international environmental certification body, which conducted a rigorous audit that tracked against 77 criteria across 13 applicable categories. The hotel is powered by RSG’s wider vision to run all operations via 100 percent renewable energy and deliver a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040 through the protection and enhancement of key habitats crucial to biodiversity. Turtle Bay Hotel makes optimal use of all natural resources. For instance, strategies are in place to ensure zero waste in sent to landfill and we eliminated …