Red Sea named as one of TIME's World's Greatest Places 2023
“Creating an entirely new destination from scratch isn’t easy, but having a vast swath of spectacular natural—and largely untouched—scenery is a good place to start…”
Each year, TIME Magazine reveals its ultimate list of the World’s Greatest Places. The annual list is a showcase of 50 extraordinary destinations to explore, and for 2023 Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea has been selected as one of them.
It’s easy to see why. TIME selects its annual list of World’s Greatest Places by looking at destinations near and far, the familiar and far-flung, and aims to highlight those offering new and exciting experiences. Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast ticks many of these boxes. As it opens for visitors for the first time ever this year, it’s one of the world’s last remaining untouched tourism destinations.
As per TIME, “Creating an entirely new destination from scratch isn’t easy, but having a vast swath of spectacular natural—and largely untouched—scenery is a good place to start.”
The Red Sea’s varied topography – from dormant volcanoes to rolling deserts, sugary beaches and crystalline waters – will offer endless allure. But visitor numbers will be capped at 1 million annually, to ensure the natural beauty is protected. The sustainability angle goes way beyond this though, with the whole destination aiming to run 100% on renewable energy.
In 2023, the first three luxury hotels will begin welcoming guests. These will be Six Senses Southern Dunes, a 76-room resort and one of only two hotels opening on an inland site at The Red Sea; the 63-key Nujuma, the world’s sixth Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, which will open on Ummahat Island alongside a St. Regis property. The St Reis Red Sea Resort promises a collection of 90 villas – some overwater – a duo of signature restaurants, plus an outdoor pool, spa and kids’ club. This year will also see the airport begin operations, although it’ll be for domestic flights only until 2024. By completion in 2030, The Red Sea will feature some 50 hotels, 8,000 rooms and up to 1,000 residential properties.