As global tourism faces increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact, Saudi Arabia is pioneering a new approach to travel — regenerative tourism. This philosophy goes beyond sustainable tourism, which seeks to minimize harm, and instead focuses on actively improving the destinations it touches. By implementing science-based practices that prioritize conservation, community involvement, and environmental restoration, Saudi Arabia is reshaping the luxury travel sector to blend both opulence and sustainability.
One of the main players in this initiative is Red Sea Global, a real estate company committed to regenerative tourism. According to Aed Albasseet, the group’s chief environment and sustainability officer, the company’s core commitment to operate on renewable energy is not merely a tagline but an integral part of their approach. Their eco-conscious designs, deeply embedded in every phase of construction and operation, are meant to deliver luxury without compromising environmental health.
Red Sea Global’s Vision: Sustainable Luxury
Red Sea Global’s flagship project, The Red Sea, is a luxury destination set on Saudi Arabia’s pristine west coast. By 2030, it will feature 50 hotels, 8,000 rooms, and more than 1,000 residences, but with a major focus on preserving the natural environment. To mitigate the impact on ecosystems, visitor numbers will be capped at 1 million annually.
The company’s Desert Rock Resort, recently opened, offers a compelling example of regenerative tourism. Designed to minimize environmental disruption, the resort incorporates natural elements like the local stone and sand to create sustainable infrastructure. With rooms built using materials excavated from the surrounding mountains, the resort emphasizes off-site manufacturing to reduce on-site disruption and waste. Moreover, every resort powered by Red Sea Global runs on solar energy, including the large solar farms that supply power to both the resorts and Red Sea International Airport. The airport is set to become the region’s first powered entirely by renewable energy.
Conservation Through Technology and Collaboration
Regenerative tourism at Red Sea Global involves advanced technologies and a collaborative approach to environmental stewardship. For example, before construction at Desert Rock began, Red Sea Global partnered with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology for a marine spatial planning simulation, a study that informed their development strategy to limit the environmental footprint. This research led to the decision to develop only 22 of the 90 islands in the Red Sea destination, ensuring that the local marine ecosystem is protected.
The company’s sustainability efforts extend beyond energy conservation to water usage. Both Shebara and Desert Rockresorts feature advanced water-saving systems like smart irrigation and closed-loop water systems. Rainwater is captured and used to sustain the local ecosystem, reducing reliance on external water sources and revitalizing the surrounding wadi.
Facing the Challenges of Unsustainable Tourism
The consequences of traditional, unsustainable tourism are becoming more evident. Unsustainable practices are degrading ecosystems, harming biodiversity, and exploiting local cultures. The tourism industry’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions — estimated at 8 percent — further underscores the need for transformative change.
Albasseet emphasizes that regenerative tourism is not just about minimizing harm but actively restoring and regenerating the destinations that attract tourists in the first place. As awareness of environmental issues grows and global initiatives like the Paris Climate Agreement gain traction, the need for the tourism industry to embrace sustainability has never been clearer.
With these groundbreaking efforts, Saudi Arabia is setting a new standard for luxury travel that prioritizes the health of the planet while offering visitors a truly sustainable experience. This approach not only benefits the environment but also supports local communities, ensuring long-term economic and ecological resilience for future generations.
Key Initiatives:
- Red Sea Global limits visitors to 1 million annually to protect ecosystems.
- Hotels and resorts powered by solar energy, supported by vast solar farms.
- Water conservation strategies, including rainwater capture and closed-loop systems.
- Collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology for marine conservation.
- Red Sea International Airport powered entirely by renewable energy.
As the world moves toward a more eco-conscious future, Saudi Arabia’s regenerative tourism model provides an inspiring example of how luxury can coexist with environmental sustainability.
