As the Kingdom looks to the future and opens its doors to the world, the Red Sea is at the heart of groundbreaking giga-projects taking shape along the western coast. Under the ambitious plans of Vision 2030, a trio of exceptional destinations are transforming 64,000km2 of islands and coastline into world-class destinations with ecotourism – and spectacular diving – at the forefront. These projects are the carbon-neutral city of NEOM, the Red Sea Riviera destination at AMAALA and the regenerative Red Sea Project. The aim is one of balance, where luxury and leisure meet sustainability and global standards of ocean conservation.

Forward-thinking towards environmental development, all three giga-projects are responsibly engaged with their natural setting. With plans to establish the world’s largest coral garden, NEOM is embarking on a joint project with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to restore and accelerate solutions toward coral conservation. Located within the Prince Mohammad bin Salman Nature Reserve, AMAALA has joined forces with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and the Oceanographic Institute to create a transformative destination that maintains the purity of the Red Sea. Only 5 per cent of the total area will be developed, with the rest earmarked for conservation and preservation. To maintain this remarkable natural asset for generations to come, Red Sea Global has assembled a lineup of global conservation leaders and experts. From Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau and founder and president of EarthEcho International to biologists, ecologists and oceanographers from the Red Sea Research Center, this team of innovative conservationists are tasked with enhancing biodiversity at the site by 30 per cent.