Saudi Arabia is investing billions of pounds into mega infrastructure projects in an ambitious and radical plan to prepare the country for the next century’s challenges.
The projects have the potential to transform the Saudi Arabian economy and society and create millions of jobs.
Perhaps the most famous one is the futuristic city of NEOM on the Red Sea coast, designed to be a sustainable and innovation-driven urban centre.
Saudi officials hope the project, expected to cost US$500 billion (£386bn), will attract people from all over the world to work and live there.
No less impressive are Riyadh’s plans to develop its tourist industry, as it seeks to diversify the country’s economy away from its oil and gas exports.
One project in particular catches the eye as it begins to take shape on the Red Sea coast.
The Red Sea Project is a planned luxury tourism destination that is estimated to cost $US200 billion (£154bn) to build.
It is located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia in a 28,000 square kilometre area in Tabuk province between Umluj and Al-Wajh.
The area includes more than 90 unspoiled offshore islands, 200km of coastline on the Red Sea, beaches, desert, mountains and volcanoes.
The project was launched in 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salaman and is part of Riyadh’s Saudi Vision 2030 programme.
When completed in 2030, the luxury resort will boast 50 hotels with 8,000 rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.
As of 2024, five tourist destinations have been completed – two are located inland, while the others are based on three of the 92-island archipelago.
In May, Ritz Carlton opened the Nujuma luxury resort on the Ummahat Islands, which also hosts the St. Regis Red Sea Resort.
The Nujuma is reportedly the most expensive hotel in the Middle East, with a room costing around £2,627 per night.
The resort has received rave reviews from its guests on Tripadvisor. Aobei C wrote: “We spent an amazing 4-night journey here.
“The property has an unbelievable location, and since it’s newly built, the facilities are all very modern.
“You can enjoy perfect water sports and spa experiences here, and there’s a daily stargazing activity (special thanks to Habibi for the fantastic lesson).”