Progress is underway at Ummahat islands Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, with the hotel opening in Q2. Photo: John Pagano / Twitter
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXF7LNGQWRFNCPBDXJP2WJTEOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c5aab6649c22f60b679ebe82ce9293df8bfe1863e455c14d1a05160dea87b6a0&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia's The Red Sea is opening this year, with three hotels, a new airport and traveller experiences on offer. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EUG6UM47YFEFNDWQ4JBR7HJP3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=a323d274f00a945ca4e36c900b147510e4f071e8b397f1b7daaabc3c4e9af912&width=400&height=225)
The sprawling destination is spread across desert dunes, mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes and ancient heritage sites. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YRHDP4XLKVG7ZA3I4T75SW5HD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=f0f80637b0ba9feb72f9506e739562225ea9b12a4b0b8bfc50a00556c69e356f&width=400&height=225)
It comprises 90 islands, 22 of which are being developed for tourists. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JYOYE2ZEFJEMDD5UK6IWDTCZSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d86ecaac70353669811e938e072bb87d27f9b1fb1fab1ee441a88ce0684149b6&width=400&height=225)
The destination is home to the world's fourth-largest coral reef system. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZRCCXQL7MBAB7CHSQ6VT33NEGI.jpg?smart=true&auth=18069b261975c89f827db61737a207f2b13b2a7a1aa75cee3605cb572e2a7803&width=400&height=225)
Marine life at The Red Sea is second-to-none and great care has been taken to ensure local inhabitants are not unduly disturbed. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UTJ54JRXS5CMFJ46NB3CH55WNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6b94f53f4e3ae04b2040ddfcc2f4ba308379b8e3f889e3e78a02052db291632e&width=400&height=225)
Six Senses Southern Dunes will be one of the first three hotels to welcome guests at The Red Sea. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OPXV5VOJP5BIJN6AO5L2ETBMD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3cbbee48c53c5a3e3fded7fc55bd7a731f3e7b1ac2b64c061b905863cdd7f9a8&width=400&height=225)
The eco-friendly resort is set where the sand dunes meet the mountains. Photo: Foster+Partners
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TQEKZPWRJVGG7GSUKFDF4JOISY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7510389573989df607ba17e7daf8f79382023791190ae47c671ca33aa08ceda4&width=400&height=225)
A swimming pool overlooking the valley at Six Senses Southern Dunes. Photo: Foster+Partners
The new Red Sea Airport will welcome travellers this summer. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V3QURGQS3NDTHHYABLFHLNBIX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=45c6a294d6485e50e2785c59f0be69930424d49f95dd9d25be375601c36a2ffb&width=400&height=225)
The Red Sea Airport will welcome flights from Jeddah and Riyadh this summer. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STPMZOE4WBG2HASADP6HDQA2MU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6da5a09b4b108031bbb993a84aedace1fdfd82471e22878da890448cc2c4a28&width=400&height=225)
Travellers visiting The Red Sea can try hiking, biking, yoga, diving and much more. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MJFVDTMVMVICE2G67Q5Y4PJ6DE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f477df3c10a82d5985331dcb3533850613e52dd13352fa495bb72658c35b2ed5&width=400&height=225)
A hawksbill turtle in the Red Sea. Travellers will be able to enjoy amazing underwater adventures. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3UY5CL7UXQBFFQBUCEZI2L2EGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e2dc51b298c99650eb64971e555c45ca3ce4ebf332506a763b0255d5fcdd9b3c&width=400&height=225)
Mountain canyons at The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TVHHALPCRVEJTMNZMCHV6RW3GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9094656e1db4caf7f84c86c1d3f38fe68e817a912ccadb50d837d89acfda03b&width=400&height=225)
One of the first hotels opening at The Red Sea is the kingdom's first St Regis Resort. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DF4Z2GFF4ZFGHJU7SVLCY7IB2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=f233f7d67abe4649b304f399b1489de2c2b63b6b33f553f195a3884984692a67&width=400&height=225)
The ultra-luxury resort will be located on a private island Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYDVSJ6YPFA7VBGCYTEINCJETM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f6e5c4e57e8fb78cbdd050676dff916cff649886288760356fb4f9708b1e62a&width=400&height=225)
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve will welcome some of the first travellers to The Red Sea. Photo: Marriott International
Progress is underway at Ummahat islands Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, with the hotel opening in Q2. Photo: John Pagano / Twitter
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXF7LNGQWRFNCPBDXJP2WJTEOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c5aab6649c22f60b679ebe82ce9293df8bfe1863e455c14d1a05160dea87b6a0&width=400&height=225)
Saudi Arabia's The Red Sea is opening this year, with three hotels, a new airport and traveller experiences on offer. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EUG6UM47YFEFNDWQ4JBR7HJP3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=a323d274f00a945ca4e36c900b147510e4f071e8b397f1b7daaabc3c4e9af912&width=400&height=225)
The sprawling destination is spread across desert dunes, mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes and ancient heritage sites. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YRHDP4XLKVG7ZA3I4T75SW5HD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=f0f80637b0ba9feb72f9506e739562225ea9b12a4b0b8bfc50a00556c69e356f&width=400&height=225)
It comprises 90 islands, 22 of which are being developed for tourists. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JYOYE2ZEFJEMDD5UK6IWDTCZSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d86ecaac70353669811e938e072bb87d27f9b1fb1fab1ee441a88ce0684149b6&width=400&height=225)
The destination is home to the world's fourth-largest coral reef system. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZRCCXQL7MBAB7CHSQ6VT33NEGI.jpg?smart=true&auth=18069b261975c89f827db61737a207f2b13b2a7a1aa75cee3605cb572e2a7803&width=400&height=225)
Marine life at The Red Sea is second-to-none and great care has been taken to ensure local inhabitants are not unduly disturbed. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UTJ54JRXS5CMFJ46NB3CH55WNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6b94f53f4e3ae04b2040ddfcc2f4ba308379b8e3f889e3e78a02052db291632e&width=400&height=225)
Six Senses Southern Dunes will be one of the first three hotels to welcome guests at The Red Sea. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OPXV5VOJP5BIJN6AO5L2ETBMD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3cbbee48c53c5a3e3fded7fc55bd7a731f3e7b1ac2b64c061b905863cdd7f9a8&width=400&height=225)
The eco-friendly resort is set where the sand dunes meet the mountains. Photo: Foster+Partners
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TQEKZPWRJVGG7GSUKFDF4JOISY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7510389573989df607ba17e7daf8f79382023791190ae47c671ca33aa08ceda4&width=400&height=225)
A swimming pool overlooking the valley at Six Senses Southern Dunes. Photo: Foster+Partners
The new Red Sea Airport will welcome travellers this summer. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V3QURGQS3NDTHHYABLFHLNBIX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=45c6a294d6485e50e2785c59f0be69930424d49f95dd9d25be375601c36a2ffb&width=400&height=225)
The Red Sea Airport will welcome flights from Jeddah and Riyadh this summer. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STPMZOE4WBG2HASADP6HDQA2MU.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6da5a09b4b108031bbb993a84aedace1fdfd82471e22878da890448cc2c4a28&width=400&height=225)
Travellers visiting The Red Sea can try hiking, biking, yoga, diving and much more. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MJFVDTMVMVICE2G67Q5Y4PJ6DE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f477df3c10a82d5985331dcb3533850613e52dd13352fa495bb72658c35b2ed5&width=400&height=225)
A hawksbill turtle in the Red Sea. Travellers will be able to enjoy amazing underwater adventures. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3UY5CL7UXQBFFQBUCEZI2L2EGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=e2dc51b298c99650eb64971e555c45ca3ce4ebf332506a763b0255d5fcdd9b3c&width=400&height=225)
Mountain canyons at The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TVHHALPCRVEJTMNZMCHV6RW3GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9094656e1db4caf7f84c86c1d3f38fe68e817a912ccadb50d837d89acfda03b&width=400&height=225)
One of the first hotels opening at The Red Sea is the kingdom's first St Regis Resort. Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DF4Z2GFF4ZFGHJU7SVLCY7IB2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=f233f7d67abe4649b304f399b1489de2c2b63b6b33f553f195a3884984692a67&width=400&height=225)
The ultra-luxury resort will be located on a private island Photo: Red Sea Global
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYDVSJ6YPFA7VBGCYTEINCJETM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f6e5c4e57e8fb78cbdd050676dff916cff649886288760356fb4f9708b1e62a&width=400&height=225)
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve will welcome some of the first travellers to The Red Sea. Photo: Marriott International
Progress is underway at Ummahat islands Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, with the hotel opening in Q2. Photo: John Pagano / Twitter
When will Saudi Arabia’s The Red Sea development open and what can travellers do there?
The first phase of the luxury ecotourism destination will welcome guests this year with hotels, activities and a new airport
![Hayley Skirka](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5aa171d9-e19e-4724-894f-afdab957726f.png?smart=true&auth=0060497e4d6de279036bf67ee0e69c23726110ddc9067f6419a245b2b05cf91d&width=70&height=70)
Hayley Skirka
28 January, 2023
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