This Stunning Archipelago Is Set to Launch in 2022 Featuring Gorgeous Beaches, Desert Dunes, and Volcanoes

A new 'giga resort' is working to re-establish Saudi Arabia as a luxury destination. Encompassing 50 hotels — the first scheduled to open in 2022 — across an archipelago approximately the size of Belgium, The Red Sea Project aims to be the largest resort in the world powered entirely by renewable energy. With a goal of achieving a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040, it not only seeks to protect the local environment but also to improve it.

This is an ambitious undertaking for a project of this magnitude. Upon its completion in 2030, The Red Sea Project will feature 8,000 hotel rooms, 1,300 residential units, and amenities across 22 islands. Energy will be harnessed from solar panels and wind turbines, supplied to what will be the largest battery storage facility in the world. This is just one of many 'giga' initiatives in Saudi Arabia backed by the Vision 2030 program, aimed at enhancing tourism and reducing the economy's reliance on oil.

As groundbreaking as it seems, only 1% of the vast 17,400-square-mile area will be developed. With pristine white-sand beaches, expansive desert dunes, dormant volcanoes, mountain ranges, and the world's fourth-largest barrier reef system, this archipelago naturally attracts outdoor enthusiasts. The project's ambitious conservation initiatives, including the exploration of 3D-printed coral technologies, carbon-sequestering marine algae farms, and mechanical trees, aim to maintain this allure.

'We fully recognize our duty to safeguard this unspoiled environment and have implemented strict measures from the outset,' states John Pagano, CEO of The Red Sea Development Company. 'Careful selection of development areas is crucial to achieving this. We're preserving 75% of our island archipelago untouched and designating nine islands as special conservation zones,' he adds.

A significant aspect of the conservation effort targets the endangered green and hawksbill turtle species native to the region. The project has collaborated with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to initiate a turtle tagging program and implant sensors in coral reefs, lagoons, and nesting sites for habitat monitoring. A marine spatial planning exercise has also been conducted to identify areas for development with the least impact, according to Pagano.

Sustainable practices will be integral to the construction approach. Off-site manufacturing of prefabricated modular components aims to reduce waste and minimize impact on delicate ecosystems, while prioritizing materials like green concrete that require fewer resources. Recently, the London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners, known for designing the new Red Sea International Airport, revealed their vision for phase one of the project: Coral Bloom. This innovative development on the gateway island of Shurayrah will feature 11 hotels set to open their doors to guests in late 2022.

'Coral reefs are composed of various elements that unite to form a cohesive whole. This concept inspired our master plan, where each resort offers a unique experience catering to diverse audiences, yet the entire island reflects a shared identity as Coral Bloom,' states Gerard Evenden, head of studio at Foster + Partners.

Drawing inspiration from both nature and the region's traditional basket-weaving techniques, the project aims to construct earthy, low-carbon buildings featuring ample open spaces to cater to travelers' preferences in a post-COVID-19 world. To mitigate overtourism, guest numbers will be capped at one million annually, with careful management to ensure a balanced distribution, according to Pagano.

Prior to the pandemic, tourism in Saudi Arabia was steadily increasing, with the kingdom unveiling its e-visa program in 2019, granting access to 50 countries. If everything unfolds as planned, a project like Coral Bloom could rapidly elevate Saudi Arabia on the tourism landscape, particularly by offering travelers expansive areas and the protected nature it promises.