Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead in pursuit of its vision to be a global tourism player.
While the kingdom’s oil riches come out of the sand, it is now turning to the sea to shore up its economic future.
Latest venture under the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy is the
development of Sindalah, the first luxury island destination in Neom, a
region in north-west Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the
ground up and described by its government backers as “a living
laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for
this New Future”.
Further, Neom’s founders describe it as “a home for people who dream
big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional
liveability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental
conservation”.
Sindalah, which is expected to start welcoming guests from early
2024, will be one of a group of islands that will be developed in Neom.
HRH Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and chairman of
Neom, said Sindalah will be Neom's first luxury island and yacht club
destination in the Red Sea, “a destination where travellers can
experience the true beauty of Neom and Saudi Arabia, above and below the
water, making Sindalah the future of luxury travel."
Sindalah will offer 413 ultra-premium hotel rooms, in addition to 333
serviced apartments, alongside a beach club, yacht club, 38 unique
culinary offerings, plus a 6,474-yard (5,920m) par-70 golf course.