A bold step forward for Saudi luxury tourism is underway as Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind The Red Sea and AMAALA, prepares to open the initial phase of resorts and attractions on Shura Island in the coming weeks. The soft launch will feature three flagship properties—SLS The Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION, and InterContinental The Red Sea Resort—and will introduce Shura Links, the country’s first island golf course. This milestone marks a tangible advancement in Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to expand high-end tourism, deepen regenerative practices, and accelerate the nation’s tourism agenda within Vision 2030.
The Shura Island rollout embodies the core values that underpin RSG’s development playbook: ambitious projects that harmonize luxury with environmental stewardship, and a commitment to redefining tourism standards in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The upcoming soft opening signals progress toward the larger mission of establishing regenerative tourism that not only attracts visitors but also enhances the ecological and social fabric of the host environment. As development proceeds, Shura Island is positioned as a central element of Saudi Arabia’s push to diversify its economy through sustainable tourism, attracting both global travelers and international investment. With this phase, RSG is moving closer to delivering a portfolio of experiences that balance luxury hospitality with responsible land and sea stewardship, aligning with the broader Vision 2030 objectives.
Section 1: Shura Island Emergence and the First Phase of Luxury Openings
Shura Island represents more than a single destination; it is a strategic anchor in a larger master plan to create a world-class ecosystem of luxury hospitality, experiential tourism, and sustainable living on a pristine maritime landscape. The first phase prioritizes a curated cluster of hospitality icons while laying the groundwork for a broader array of offerings in subsequent months and years. The three initial hotels set the tone for the kind of premium services and guest experiences that Shura Island intends to deliver: bespoke service, architectural elegance, and immersive environments designed to minimize ecological footprints while maximizing guest satisfaction. The presence of three distinct luxury brands underlines a deliberate strategy to appeal to a diverse spectrum of visitors—from ultra-luxury seekers to design-focused travelers who crave curated, innovative experiences.
In addition to the hospitality lineup, Shura Island introduces Shura Links, the island’s inaugural 18-hole golf course designed to meet the expectations of a discerning golfing audience while prioritizing sustainability. The inclusion of a golf course in a relatively compact island footprint highlights a holistic approach to land use that seeks to preserve surrounding natural habitats and water resources through cutting-edge design and maintenance practices. The opening of Shura Links is timed to complement the hospitality offerings, ensuring that visitors have access to a world-class sport and recreation facility that complements a broader lifestyle experience anchored by luxury, wellness, and nature. This integrated approach is a hallmark of the project’s ambition: to deliver a distinctive, all-encompassing destination that can be enjoyed across seasons and by travelers with varied preferences.
The initial phase also signals a significant milestone in the broader development program for Shura Island, which is planned to ultimately host 11 resorts. After the soft opening, additional openings are scheduled in the coming months, bringing in renowned properties operated by Faena, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Jumeirah, Miraval, Raffles, and Rosewood. This multi-brand strategy is designed to offer a spectrum of luxury experiences, each with its own identity, design language, and guest philosophy. The staggered approach to openings allows the destination to evolve organically, enabling guests to discover new hotel concepts and service standards as the island transitions from a curated first phase to a more expansive hospitality landscape. The branding mix aims to attract international travelers with varied tastes while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s aim to position Shura Island as a global reference for regenerative luxury.
The architectural concept behind Shura Island, conceived by Foster + Partners under the distinctive “Coral Bloom” theme, is central to the project’s identity. The dolphin-shaped island is designed to harmonize with the surrounding reef ecosystems, blurring the lines between built space and natural habitat. The architectural treatment emphasizes fluid forms, light-filled interiors, and materials that respond to local climatic conditions, all while integrating the island’s marine biodiversity into the visitor experience. The Coral Bloom concept reflects a broader design philosophy that seeks to celebrate coral reef habitats and to preserve them through thoughtful planning, construction practices, and ongoing stewardship. The island’s layout is intended to minimize disruption to existing coral formations and marine life, with structures positioned to maximize access to natural cooling and daylight while reducing energy consumption.
A key element of Shura Island’s sustainability framework is its energy strategy, which centers on renewable energy integration and efficiency. By running the destination on renewable energy, the development aligns with contemporary best practices in sustainable tourism and supports the broader sustainability goals central to Vision 2030. This approach not only reduces the environmental footprint of the resort complex but also serves as a tangible demonstration to guests and industry partners of how luxury hospitality can coexist with ecological responsibility. The emphasis on renewable energy is complemented by design choices that optimize water management, waste reduction, and habitat preservation, ensuring that the resort complex operates as a model of regenerative tourism rather than a conventional extractive development.
Accessibility is a crucial component of the Shura Island experience. The destination will be reachable by boat or electric vehicle across the 3.3-kilometer Shura crossing, which includes what will become Saudi Arabia’s longest internal bridge. This infrastructural feature enhances connectivity while reducing transit-related emissions, underscoring the project’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The proximity to major travel hubs is reinforced by the Red Sea International Airport, which continues to expand its role in facilitating domestic and international routes. In a strategic development move, the airport is set to offer direct Qatar Airways flights starting from the following month, thereby enhancing international access and reinforcing Shura Island’s position as a gateway to luxury tourism and regional exploration. Such air connectivity is essential for attracting high-net-worth travelers and international visitors who may combine a Shura Island visit with broader itineraries across the region.
In addition to hospitality and habitat considerations, Shura Island is planned to include a limited collection of residential offerings. The first properties are expected to be handed over in late 2025, signaling the expansion of the destination beyond pure resort living into a unique island community experience. The residential component adds a tangible dimension to the project, appealing to investors, second-home buyers, and long-term residents who seek a harmonious lifestyle on a pristine island setting. The inclusion of homes on Shura Island demonstrates the project’s broader vision: to create a living, breathing ecosystem where temporary visitors can graduate into longer-term engagements with the island’s community and natural environment. The careful pacing of residential handovers is intended to preserve the destination’s character and ecological integrity while enabling stable, long-term economic activity.
The design and execution of Shura Island’s first phase also reflect a deepening emphasis on sustainability within the built environment. Shura Links, the island’s cricket-free, environmentally conscious golf course, has been planned with a focus on water conservation and landscape stewardship. Its sustainability ethos features eco-friendly water management systems and landscaping approaches that minimize resource use while maintaining high standards of course conditioning and guest enjoyment. The golf course’s layout, material choices, and ongoing maintenance protocols are all shaped by a commitment to reducing environmental impact and preserving the island’s natural assets for future generations of visitors and residents.
Beyond the immediate resort-centric attractions, RSG’s broader strategic framework suggests a broader economic and social impact on the region. RSG and its partners anticipate that The Red Sea and AMAALA projects will generate substantial employment opportunities, with a projected combined impact of up to 120,000 jobs. This figure encompasses a wide range of roles, from construction and operations to hospitality, services, and supply-chain activities that will support the ongoing development and day-to-day functioning of the resorts, golf courses, residential properties, and related amenities. The 120,000-job forecast aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s ambition to diversify the economy, foster sustainable development, and cultivate a robust ecosystem for tourism, culture, and professional services. It also underscores the potential social and economic ripple effects, including knowledge transfer, workforce development, and the creation of new business opportunities for local communities and international partners.
Shura Island’s first-phase project is not only about launching a cluster of luxury hotels; it signals a strategic, multi-layered approach to destination development that blends design excellence, hospitality leadership, ecological stewardship, and economic vitality. The introduction of multiple premium brands within a single destination creates a rich, multi-voice experience for travelers while enabling efficient management, cross-brand synergies, and shared infrastructure that can serve both guests and residents. The phased rollout will test and refine operational playbooks, guest services, and sustainability practices, paving the way for later expansions, greater occupancy, and increased brand diversity. The overarching aim is to deliver a resilient destination that can navigate market fluctuations, adapt to evolving travel preferences, and sustain a long-term trajectory aligned with Vision 2030.
Section 2: Coral Bloom and the Intersection of Architecture, Nature, and Regenerative Tourism
At the heart of Shura Island’s design philosophy lies the Coral Bloom concept, a signature approach developed in collaboration with Foster + Partners that seeks to fuse architectural innovation with the island’s coral reef ecosystem. The name itself suggests a living, breathing, and organic formation—an architectural bloom that echoes the vibrant, dynamic life of coral reefs while maintaining a strong commitment to ecological integrity. The dolphin-shaped island geometry is not merely an aesthetic choice; it is a deliberate gesture to reduce waterfront obstruction, minimize disruption to marine habitats, and optimize wind and sun exposure for sustainable energy and thermal comfort. The design language emphasizes seamless integration with the sea, allowing guests to experience water and landscape as a continuous part of the built environment rather than an external backdrop.
This design approach also prioritizes the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. Large operable façades, expansive terraces, and shaded outdoor relaxation areas are orchestrated to maximize natural ventilation and daylight while reducing the need for artificial climate control. The goal is to deliver guest experiences that feel effortlessly luxurious yet intimately informed by the surrounding sea and reef ecosystems. The architecture aims to be transparent and respectful, enabling visitors to engage with the island’s natural beauty without compromising the integrity of its habitats. The Coral Bloom concept encourages a sense of wonder, inviting guests to explore a landscape where architecture acts as a bridge between human comfort and ecological mindfulness.
A crucial dimension of the Coral Bloom strategy is a comprehensive commitment to regenerative practices. The project aims to create value beyond the immediate economic returns of tourism by restoring and enhancing ecosystem services, supporting biodiversity, and fostering a culture of environmental accountability among developers, operators, and guests. Architectural decisions are guided by data-informed sustainability goals, encompassing energy efficiency, water stewardship, waste management, and habitat restoration. The use of local materials, low-embodied-energy construction methods, and modular building practices can contribute to reduced environmental footprints while enabling flexibility for future upgrades and changes in the island’s use. The regenerative imperative extends to the operational phase, with ongoing programs to monitor ecological health, support reef resilience, and engage guests in educational experiences that promote stewardship.
In parallel with the architectural narrative, the landscape strategy around Shura Island emphasizes protecting and enhancing natural habitats. The project seeks to preserve coral colonies, seagrass beds, and other critical marine ecosystems through careful site planning, careful routing of utilities and roads, and the implementation of state-of-the-art water management practices. The island’s green infrastructure, including renewable energy generation facilities, energy storage systems, and advanced water treatment capabilities, is designed to minimize leakage and maximize efficiency. This approach not only reduces operating costs but also reinforces the destination’s appeal to travelers who prioritize sustainability in their decision-making process.
From a guest experience perspective, Coral Bloom also informs the storytelling and programmatic elements of Shura Island. Visitors are invited to learn about the region’s biodiversity, conservation initiatives, and the cultural significance of the Red Sea’s marine environments. Interpretive programs, guided tours, and educational experiences can help deepen guest engagement while aligning with responsible tourism practices. The coral-centric narrative reinforces a sense of place, enriching the overall value proposition of the destination for travelers who value authenticity, environmental sensitivity, and a connection to the natural world.
The design principles embedded in Coral Bloom extend to the infrastructural backbone of the island. Utilities and services are conceived to be resilient and adaptable to future climate scenarios, with a focus on reducing emissions, lowering water use, and supporting biodiversity. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and possibly wind, is paired with energy management systems that optimize consumption patterns and ensure reliable power supply for all facilities. Waste management and recycling programs are embedded in operations at the outset, ensuring that the island’s hospitality footprint remains as light as possible while delivering the high standards guests expect from a world-class luxury destination.
The Coral Bloom concept thus embodies a holistic approach to luxury development—one that respects ecological constraints, celebrates natural beauty, and demonstrates that high-end tourism can coexist with conservation and restoration. By aligning architectural design, landscape strategy, and operational practices with regenerative principles, Shura Island sets a precedent for future projects within The Red Sea and AMAALA, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable growth in the tourism sector. The collaboration with Foster + Partners is a symbolic and practical alignment of international design expertise with local environmental stewardship, sending a clear message to the global travel community about the kind of responsible, visionary development the region seeks to pursue.
Section 3: The Hospitality Vanguard—SLS The Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION, InterContinental The Red Sea Resort, and the Brand Portfolio
The initial hospitality lineup for Shura Island comprises three distinct flagships designed to deliver unique guest experiences while reinforcing a cohesive destination narrative. SLS The Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION, and InterContinental The Red Sea Resort each bring their own design language, service philosophy, and guest amenities to the island, offering a mix of modern luxury, curated experiences, and thoughtful hospitality that reflects broader international standards while remaining deeply contextual to the Red Sea environment. These properties serve as immediate anchors for the destination, introducing guests to high-touch service, immersive environments, and a level of sophistication that is expected of a world-class luxury getaway.
SLS The Red Sea is expected to emphasize an energetic, contemporary aesthetic with bold design elements, vibrant social spaces, and a playful yet refined atmosphere. The brand’s emphasis on lifestyle-driven experiences suggests a resort that prioritizes social interaction, gastronomy, spa therapies, and experiential programming. The Red Sea EDITION, by contrast, is anticipated to blend the brand’s signature luxury and cultural sensibilities with a design vocabulary that resonates with the island’s Coral Bloom concept. The EDITION’s appeal lies in its ability to fuse luxury with a sense of place, delivering a refined guest experience rooted in local context, artful interiors, and an emphasis on experiential dining and curated cultural programming. InterContinental The Red Sea Resort will bring a classic luxury proposition that leans into timeless elegance, robust guest services, and a focus on wellness, concierge-level assistance, and immersive hospitality that invites guests to slow down and savor the destination.
In addition to these three initial properties, the broader plan for Shura Island foresees openings by a carefully chosen cohort of international hospitality houses. The roster includes Faena, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Jumeirah, Miraval, Raffles, and Rosewood, among others. This multi-brand strategy is designed to ensure the destination can accommodate a wide spectrum of traveler preferences—from intimate luxury and boutique hotel experiences to expansive, service-rich properties that command global appeal. The aim is to sustain a cadence of openings that continuously refresh the guest offering, sustain media interest and market momentum, and create a dynamic ecosystem where each brand contributes a distinct flavor and value proposition. The brands’ different luxury tiers and design DNA are intended to complement one another, enabling guests to select from a range of environments that suit their mood, occasion, and travel style while remaining within the broader Shura Island universe.
The design and experience strategy across the hotel portfolio is guided by a common commitment to sustainability, guest-centric service, and a sense of place. Each property will incorporate advanced energy management, water conservation measures, waste minimization programs, and biodiversity preservation practices carved into both the architecture and the daily operations. The guest journey across these properties is envisioned to be seamless, with consistent quality of service, reliable connectivity, and a shared set of high standards that reinforce the island’s reputation as a premier luxury destination. The properties will leverage cross-property synergies—for example, shared culinary concepts, spa and wellness programs, and signature experiences—that create a cohesive sense of belonging to Shura Island while allowing individual properties to retain their distinctive brand voices and atmospheres.
Future openings will also reflect a deliberate approach to seasonal and experiential programming. Culinary partnerships, art installations, wellness workshops, and nature-based activities are expected to rotate across the portfolio to keep the guest experience fresh and relevant. The approach is designed to attract repeat visitors and encourage longer stays, contributing to higher occupancy levels and stronger lifetime value for guests. The hotels will also play a central role in the destination’s overall marketing narrative, acting as ambassadors of Shura Island’s identity while engaging with the broader Red Sea region and international travel markets. The result is a multi-brand, multi-experience destination that can attract a broad audience while maintaining a clear, high-quality standard across the entire hospitality ecosystem.
The SLS, EDITION, and InterContinental properties will be supported by a comprehensive guest services framework, with emphasis on personalized service, guest privacy, and seamless operations. Advanced digital tools will underpin the guest journey, from pre-arrival planning to in-resort engagement, ensuring that travelers can customize experiences to their preferences. The objective is to deliver a refined, frictionless experience that feels intuitive and luxurious, with a focus on keeping the guest at the center of every interaction. The properties are expected to contribute to the local economy by generating employment opportunities, fostering local supplier partnerships, and creating pathways for skill development and career advancement within the hospitality sector. In line with Vision 2030 objectives, the hotels will also aim to attract international travelers while delivering benefits to local communities through sustainable employment and community engagement initiatives.
As Shura Island evolves, additional brand partnerships will expand the destination’s appeal, with a carefully curated mix of premium, globally recognized names designed to complement the existing trio and future properties. The ongoing development plan reflects a long-term commitment to building a diverse and resilient hospitality landscape that can adapt to changing travel patterns, respond to market demand, and deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences. By blending distinctive brand voices with a shared dedication to sustainability and local integration, Shura Island aspires to become a benchmark for regenerative luxury in the region and a global reference for how luxury, ecology, and community can harmoniously coexist in a single, transformative destination.
Section 4: Shura Links—Design, Sustainability, and the Future of Island Golf
Shura Links, the island’s first 18-hole golf course, is being developed with sustainability and environmental stewardship at its core. The course design emphasizes water-efficient practices, landscape management optimized for local climate conditions, and the use of eco-friendly technologies and materials. The intention is to create a world-class golfing experience that aligns with the broader regenerative philosophy of the destination. By prioritizing sustainable water use and low-impact landscaping, Shura Links demonstrates how a premium leisure amenity can harmonize with ecological objectives rather than hinder them. The course’s layout, maintenance regimes, and irrigation strategies are crafted to minimize resource consumption while delivering the high level of play and aesthetic appeal that golfing enthusiasts expect.
In addition to its ecological considerations, Shura Links is designed to offer a memorable guest experience that integrates seamlessly with the island’s other attractions. The course will be engineered to deliver a challenging yet accessible playing environment, with strategically placed hazards, breathtaking views, and a design that encourages social interaction and spectator engagement. The clubhouse and practice facilities are conceived to provide comfortable, engaging spaces for players and spectators alike, while the overall layout enhances circulation and accessibility across the island. The golf course’s development aligns with Shura Island’s broader objectives of providing a diversified leisure portfolio that supports longer stays, repeat visits, and a deeper appreciation of the island’s natural beauty.
From a broader sustainability perspective, Shura Links is part of a comprehensive approach to reduce water usage, energy consumption, and waste generation across the destination. Eco-friendly irrigation systems, drought-tolerant grasses, and integrated landscape management protocols are expected to contribute to a reduction in maintenance resource requirements. The golf course’s construction and ongoing operations will be guided by environmental impact assessments and continuous monitoring to ensure compliance with high standards of ecological responsibility. The sustainable design of Shura Links also serves as a powerful demonstration to guests and industry partners about the viability of luxury leisure facilities that respect and protect natural resources.
Shura Links complements the other leisure offerings on Shura Island by providing a luxury sporting venue that can host international tournaments, corporate events, and private experiences. As the destination evolves, the golf course is poised to become a central social hub where guests can engage in high-level recreation, networking, and community activities. Its presence reinforces the island’s status as a premier destination for those who seek sophisticated leisure pursuits in a setting of exceptional natural beauty and ecological sensitivity. The course’s emphasis on sustainability will likely influence future sporting and recreational developments on the island, guiding the way other premium facilities are planned, designed, and operated to minimize environmental impact while maximizing guest enjoyment.
In sum, Shura Links represents more than a golf course; it is a symbol of the destination’s broader regenerative intent. It demonstrates that luxury and sustainability can be mutually reinforcing, creating an all-season attraction that adds to the island’s resilience and appeal. The course’s integration with Shura Island’s Coral Bloom design language ensures a cohesive visitor experience, where sporting excellence, environmental stewardship, and architectural harmony come together to define a new standard for island-based golf and leisure within the Red Sea region.
Section 5: Connectivity, Access, and the Transportation Backbone of Shura Island
The successful integration of Shura Island into regional and global travel patterns depends on a robust, sustainable transportation and connectivity framework. The destination’s accessibility is anchored by the 3.3-kilometer Shura crossing, which links the island to the broader harbor and transport network via an internal bridge that is poised to become Saudi Arabia’s longest. This bridge—not only a marvel of engineering—will facilitate efficient movement of guests, residents, staff, goods, and service providers, while minimizing travel times and congestion. The bridge design prioritizes safety, reliability, and seamless integration with ferry and water taxi operations, enabling a flexible approach to arrival and departure that aligns with guest preferences and operational realities of a major luxury destination.
Air connectivity plays a pivotal role in Shura Island’s growth story. Red Sea International Airport is already serving domestic and international routes and is positioned to expand its reach with direct Qatar Airways flights starting in the near term. This direct connection to a major Gulf hub enhances accessibility for travelers from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas who may be investigating long-haul itineraries that weave together multiple luxury destinations in the region. The airport’s ongoing development and service expansion are likely to influence the frequency and capacity of routes to and from the destination, supporting higher visitor volumes during peak travel periods and enabling a more fluid traveler experience.
For onward travel within the region, water-based access remains a key element of the Shura Island experience. Guests can arrive by boat, an arrangement that complements the island’s maritime heritage and reinforces the connection to the Red Sea. The combination of sea and air access provides a versatile array of arrival options for guests, with potential for private aviation arrangements, yacht charters, and luxury marine transport that fit the desires of high-end travelers. The diverse accessibility options also align with a broader strategy to position Shura Island as a year-round destination capable of sustaining occupancy across seasons and appealing to visitors with varying travel preferences.
The broader transport and infrastructure strategy surrounding Shura Island includes careful planning for circulation, parking, and public spaces to ensure a seamless guest experience. The goal is to minimize congestion and improve efficiency while preserving the island’s aesthetic and ecological integrity. To this end, transport systems are expected to employ advanced technologies for traffic management, energy efficiency, and sustainability, with provisions for charging electric vehicles, shuttles, and other low-emission mobility options. By prioritizing sustainable transportation, the destination can minimize its carbon footprint and support the broader objective of creating a low-impact, high-value tourism experience.
In the longer term, the transportation framework is designed to be adaptable to growth, market dynamics, and evolving guest preferences. As more properties open and guest demand increases, transport planning will continue to evolve, guided by sustainability metrics and operational requirements that balance convenience with environmental stewardship. The objective is to deliver reliable, efficient, and comfortable access to Shura Island while maintaining the integrity of the island’s natural settings and the surrounding marine environment. The integration of air, sea, and land mobility options creates a comprehensive, resilient transportation backbone that enables Shura Island to function as a true international gateway for luxury tourism in the Red Sea region.
Section 6: Residential Components and the Late-2025 Handover Window
In addition to its world-class hotels and leisure facilities, Shura Island will feature a limited collection of residential properties. The introduction of homes aims to extend the destination’s appeal beyond short-term stays, inviting guests to become part of a year-round community that benefits from proximity to premium hospitality experiences and the island’s natural assets. The first properties are anticipated to be handed over in late 2025, establishing a tangible presence for residents who wish to enjoy a refined island lifestyle while remaining connected to the broader ecosystem of The Red Sea and AMAALA developments.
Residential components are designed to complement the other on-island offerings, with layouts and amenities that emphasize comfort, privacy, and a strong sense of place. The handover timeline reflects a careful balance between delivering high-quality living spaces and preserving the integrity of evolving infrastructure and services. As with the hospitality and recreational elements, residential development is guided by sustainability considerations and community-oriented planning, ensuring that new residents are integrated into inclusive programs, local services, and opportunities to participate in the island’s environmental stewardship initiatives. The handover process is expected to follow established quality standards, with meticulous attention to construction excellence, safety, and long-term maintenance planning.
The residential strategy aligns with Shura Island’s broader economic and social objectives, supporting a diversified mix of uses that contribute to robust, year-round activity. By integrating residential properties with premium hospitality, dining, and leisure options, the destination fosters a sustainable, multi-use environment that can generate stable demand across seasons. The presence of homes also offers opportunities for long-term resident engagement, including participation in conservation programs, local employment, and community events that help build a sense of belonging and stewardship among residents and visitors alike. The early handover of residential units will be a milestone in the island’s evolution, enabling communities to take root and begin contributing to the island’s economic and social vitality while preserving the destination’s distinctive character and ecological commitments.
Section 7: Regulatory, Economic, and Community Dimensions—Vision 2030 and 120,000 Jobs
The Shura Island project sits at the intersection of regulatory alignment, economic diversification, and community empowerment. The Saudi leadership’s Vision 2030 framework provides the strategic context for large-scale, sustainable tourism development that emphasizes private-sector participation, international investment, and a commitment to environmental stewardship. The Shura Island initiative embodies these objectives by delivering a master-planned destination that combines luxury hospitality, regenerative design, and inclusive growth that benefits local communities and the broader economy. The planned portfolio of eleven resorts, the inclusion of a major championship golf course, and the introduction of a residential element are all designed to create a high-value, multi-generational ecosystem that can attract global travelers while fostering local development, skills transfer, and entrepreneurship.
A core aspect of the project’s anticipated impact is job creation. RSG and its partners project that The Red Sea and AMAALA initiatives will collectively generate up to 120,000 jobs across construction, hospitality, services, and ancillary industries. This estimation reflects a comprehensive approach to workforce development, with an emphasis on training, capacity-building, and career advancement opportunities for Saudi nationals and residents of the region. The job creation trajectory is expected to contribute to the Kingdom’s economic diversification agenda by creating roles across a broad spectrum of skill levels, from engineering and management to hospitality operations, guest services, and maintenance. By fostering a diversified labor market, the project aims to build a sustainable, resilient economy that can weather market shifts and continue to deliver high-value opportunities for decades.
Beyond direct employment, Shura Island’s development is anticipated to generate substantial secondary benefits for the local economy and communities. Local supply chains will be stimulated as hotels, golf courses, and residential components procure goods and services from regional vendors. The project is also expected to spur knowledge transfer and capacity-building initiatives in fields ranging from hospitality management to sustainable design and environmental monitoring. The long-term social impact is likely to extend to improved tourism-related infrastructure, enhanced public amenities, and opportunities for cultural exchange and creative industries that align with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals for cultural and economic enrichment.
From a regulatory standpoint, the project adheres to stringent standards of environmental stewardship, labor rights, and governance. The regenerative tourism framework shapes not only operational practices but also vendor selection, supply-chain transparency, and performance reporting. The emphasis on sustainability is designed to be demonstrable through measurable outcomes, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement across all phases of development. In addition, the project seeks to foster constructive collaboration with local communities, universities, and research institutions to advance knowledge in sustainable tourism, marine conservation, and regenerative design—areas that hold particular relevance for a destination that sits at the intersection of luxury, ecology, and culture.
Section 8: Sustainability, Regenerative Tourism, and Ecological Stewardship Across The Red Sea and AMAALA
While Shura Island is a key focus of this phase, the broader The Red Sea and AMAALA projects encompass a comprehensive approach to sustainability and regenerative tourism that informs every decision across development, operation, and community engagement. The overarching aim is to create destinations that deliver exceptional guest experiences while delivering ecological and social benefits that extend beyond the lifecycle of the projects themselves. The regenerative mindset informs architecture, energy systems, water and waste management, biodiversity protection, and community involvement, ensuring that the destinations contribute positively to their environments and to the people who live and work there.
A central pillar of this sustainability drive is renewable energy integration. The deployment of solar, wind, and other renewable technologies is designed to minimize reliance on fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and support resilient energy supply for year-round operations. Energy efficiency measures—such as advanced building envelopes, high-performance HVAC systems, and intelligent energy management—play a crucial role in optimizing performance and guest comfort while limiting environmental impact. Water stewardship is another critical area, with water-saving technologies, greywater recycling, and responsible landscaping practices reducing consumption and preserving precious water resources in a desert-coastal environment.
Biodiversity protection and reef preservation lie at the heart of the project’s ecological strategy. Comprehensive environmental impact assessments inform planning decisions, and ongoing monitoring guides adaptive management to mitigate potential adverse effects on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Coral ecosystems, seagrass beds, and other vital habitats receive targeted protection through careful site planning, restricted shoreline development, and restoration initiatives. The aim is to preserve natural capital while still delivering high-value experiences for guests, thereby creating a model of sustainable tourism that honors the environment as a primary asset of the destination.
Community engagement and local empowerment are also essential to the sustainability framework. Local employment opportunities, training programs, and partnerships with community organizations help ensure that the benefits of tourism flow to residents. The project fosters collaboration with local businesses to strengthen supply chains, crafts, and services that reflect the region’s cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. By embedding community development into the project design, Shura Island and the broader Red Sea initiatives seek to create a shared sense of ownership and pride among local populations, aligning the interests of visitors with those of residents and stakeholders.
In the long run, The Red Sea and AMAALA projects aspire to set new standards in sustainable luxury, demonstrating how a large-scale, high-impact development can simultaneously deliver world-class experiences and positive environmental and social outcomes. The Shura Island first phase is a demonstration of how regenerative tourism principles can be operationalized in an island context, with architecture, landscape, operations, and programming all aligned to reduce negative impacts and create positive legacies. By articulating a clear vision, implementing robust sustainability measures, and maintaining a steadfast focus on ecological integrity and community welfare, the projects aim to become enduring references for responsible luxury development in the Middle East and beyond.
Section 9: Conclusion
Shura Island represents a landmark moment in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to redefine luxury tourism through regenerative, ecologically aligned development. The first phase—led by Red Sea Global and anchored by SLS The Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION, and InterContinental The Red Sea Resort—sets a compelling precedent for how coastal luxury destinations can blend architectural innovation, premium hospitality, and green design principles to achieve lasting value. The inclusion of Shura Links and the planned eleven-resort portfolio signals a long-term strategy designed to sustain a vibrant, multi-faceted guest experience that appeals to a global audience while respecting the island’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The Coral Bloom concept under Foster + Partners captures the core ethos of Shura Island: a seamless integration of human-made spaces with the natural world, built around a dolphin-shaped island that embraces the surrounding coral reefs. The emphasis on renewable energy, water stewardship, and habitat preservation highlights a commitment to regenerative tourism that can serve as a role model for future developments within The Red Sea and AMAALA. The accessibility enhancements, including the Shura crossing, the longest internal bridge in the country, and direct Qatar Airways service via Red Sea International Airport, position Shura Island as a highly connected gateway to luxury experiences in the region, inviting travelers from multiple continents to explore this new premium destination.
The broader economic and social dimensions of the project reinforce its strategic importance for Vision 2030. The anticipated creation of up to 120,000 jobs across The Red Sea and AMAALA initiatives, together with diversified investment, local procurement, and community engagement, underscores the project’s potential to contribute meaningfully to economic diversification and sustainable development. As more brands enter the resort landscape and the residential components come online in late 2025, Shura Island will evolve into a dynamic, year-round community where visitors and residents alike can experience the fusion of luxury living with environmental responsibility. This confluence of design excellence, hospitality leadership, renewable energy, and responsible governance positions Shura Island at the forefront of regenerative tourism in the region, setting a template for how large-scale luxury destinations can honor nature while delivering exceptional experiences.
In sum, the soft opening of Shura Island marks a critical step toward achieving a resilient, diversified, and sustainable luxury tourism model for Saudi Arabia. The destination’s phased development, robust design framework, and partnerships across a carefully curated brand portfolio reflect a thoughtful approach to growth that prioritizes ecological integrity, cultural sensitivity, and long-term community benefit. As the project progresses toward full execution, Shura Island stands to become a benchmark for regenerative luxury—an exemplar for how modern, premium destinations can harmonize ambition with responsibility, create lasting economic vitality, and invite travelers to discover a new standard of travel in the Red Sea region.
