In 2019, Saudi formally opened to international tourism. Since then, the country has focused on three main pillars: a growing calendar of global events, heritage-rich cities, and more recently, the Saudi Red Sea. The latter has increasingly been positioned as a new destination for international travellers and the yachting community.While Saudi’s expanding programme of international events and its heritage-rich cities have played a central role in attracting visitors, it is the Saudi Red Sea that now stands at the heart of the country’s long-term tourism vision. With 1,800 kilometres of largely untouched coastline and hundreds of islands, the Saudi Red Sea is being developed for luxury travel and yachting, supported by a national sustainability strategy and a pipeline of new marinas and resorts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375815/image/large-c4700e09c77412c1a60428a71cd8283b.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375815">From preservation to growthPreservation was placed at the forefront of any development along the Saudi coastline. “The Saudi Red Sea is a natural asset globally recognised for its coral reefs,” explains Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Saudi Tourism Authority (Company)">Saudi Tourism Authority</a>. “Before we began development, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, launched the National Red Sea Sustainability Strategy to ensure we preserve and protect this environment.”With that framework in place, large-scale projects are now taking shape. “The time has come where our marinas are live, our destinations are opening up, resorts have started opening at scale,” Hamidaddin says. The ambition is to reach 80 resorts by 2030, a goal he compares with Mediterranean destinations that took decades to achieve. Hamidaddin highlights that “within four years we are seeing more development than many other countries achieved in 30 years.”For Hamidaddin, this growth is about more than numbers. “We are very bullish and we are trying to set new standards for sustainability and experience,” he notes. Alongside innovative resorts, the Saudi Red Sea will also showcase cultural depth through historic villages in places such as Yanbu and Al-Ula.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375825/image/large-02bd7498a6af8a657bdbea722fc2fb39.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375825">Positioning the Red Sea“The Saudi Red Sea will serve as a major destination with the infrastructure and marinas to support visiting yachts,” says Hamidaddin. The aim, he explains, is to create an itinerary with multiple stops that can comfortably fill one to two weeks for owners and guests.That vision also reflects wider shifts in the global yachting calendar. “The industry is calling for new destinations to explore and for an extension of the season,” Hamidaddin notes. In recent years, cruising grounds such as Montenegro, Turkey and Croatia have helped extend the Mediterranean’s appeal, yet this still comes to a close in November. “We flourish after that,” he adds.Traditionally, many yachts have crossed to the Caribbean for the winter, but Hamidaddin argues that the appeal is waning due to climate factors, long passages and logistical hurdles. “We think the world is ready for a shift from Med to Red,” he remarks.Hamidaddin sees the Saudi Red Sea’s role as complementary to the Mediterranean rather than competitive. “It is starting as a winter destination for the natural stretch of the season,” he says. “As the offering develops and new visitors return, you build repeat demand, then berths for yachts and local buyers. The domestic yachting industry will be huge for us.”Unlike many regional markets, Saudi has a sizeable population along its coastline, around eight million people, where yacht ownership and marina access are only now becoming possible. Hamidaddin believes this accessibility, combined with international demand and the activation of sailing events, will drive long-term growth. “We eventually aim to be an active all-year-long destination,” he asserts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375824/image/large-ebe8d2dfb88f36dcc851feef3907c012.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375824">Collaboration across the Red SeaFor the Red Sea to become an attractive yachting destination, a unified framework in both tourism messaging and regulations will be essential. Hamidaddin acknowledges this, stressing the importance of building a collective narrative. “The offering that we have, the offering that Egypt has, the offering the Gulf states have, all will create a greater pull,” he says.&nbsp;Just as important, Hamidaddin notes, is the need to simplify and align regulations. “What we have learned from the Mediterranean is that unifying regulations and easing processes creates value. Today, many countries still issue independent licences, but that is something we could potentially iron out with other governments in the Red Sea.”Hamidaddin emphasises that Saudi is engaging with established players as it develops its Saudi Red Sea yachting offer. “It is only fair to say we have been engaging the successful players that have been ahead of us, humbly learning and seeking their advice,” he remarks. The approach, he stresses, is not to copy what already exists, but to set higher standards and create new opportunities.That engagement extends across the yachting ecosystem, from shipyards to brokers and service providers. “Each community has its own challenges, and the best way is to co-create solutions together,” Hamidaddin observes. By working with the most active and innovative players, Saudi hopes to shape the Red Sea into a destination that addresses industry needs while offering something distinct.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/375823/image/large-3123104943c0b33317bf4b4e3ca68af8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/375823">Path to 2030Hamidaddin is clear that Vision 2030 is not defined by a single deadline, but by steady progress each year. “There is a final date and a final target every year,” he maintains. Since <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Saudi Tourism Authority (Company)">Saudi tourism</a> strategy began in 2019, visitor numbers have risen from 62 million to 116 million by the end of 2024, making it the fastest-growing tourism destination in the world.He acknowledges that development of the Saudi Red Sea has taken longer to take shape, attributing this to the need to “do it right” and preserve the environment. That phase, however, is now giving way to rapid expansion. “Last year we had five resorts. This year we are opening an additional 11,” he highlights. “And the acceleration of growth will only go higher. It is the amount and the pace.”Hamidaddin remains confident that Saudi’s approach will set the tone for what comes next. As the Saudi Red Sea opens to more yachts and travellers, the country’s focus on sustainability and experience signals not just a new destination, but a new chapter in how tourism and yachting can evolve together along one of the world’s most pristine coastlines.

Saudi Tourism Authority CEO outlines Saudi Red Sea strategy for yachting

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority 

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Jeddah Yacht & Marina Club,  Saudi Arabia 

Shebara resort,  Sheybarah Island,  Saudi Arabia 

Guests onboard a yacht

 Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, explains how Saudi’s Red Sea coastline is being developed as a year-round  yachting destination.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority

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Saudi Tourism Authority

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Saudi Tourism Authority CEO outlines Saudi Red Sea strategy for yachting