Sustainable Tourism in the Red Sea Project

This document discusses the concept of sustainable tourism in the Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia. It explores the importance of sustainable tourism, its environmental impact, socio-economic impact, and cultural impact. The document also highlights the challenges faced in implementing sustainable tourism practices and provides best practices for its practical application.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................2
2. Sustainable Tourism.................................................................................................................3
2.1 Importance of Sustainable Tourism.......................................................................................3
2.2 Environmental Impact...........................................................................................................3
2.3 socio – Economic Impact.......................................................................................................4
2.4 Cultural Impact......................................................................................................................4
3. Challenges................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Benefits of sustainable tourism..............................................................................................5
3.2 Sustainable Tourism Best Practice........................................................................................5
Engage, Educate and consult with stakeholders to help inform and guide future plans
and action................................................................................................................................5
Establish baseline...................................................................................................................5
Set clear goals and identify the specific actions to achieve those goals...............................6
3.3 Practical Application.............................................................................................................6
4. Conclusion...............................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................7

1. Introduction
The Red Sea Project is being created as a unique, luxurious tourism vacation spot that will
incorporate nature, culture, and adventure placing new requirements for sustainable improvement
and positioning Saudi Arabia on the worldwide tourism map. The Red Sea Project was officially
launched in 2017 when Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announced it. Construction began
in 2019 and the first section of the mission is predicted to be finished by 2022. When the first
luxurious locations will be opened for vacationers touring the country. The 100-hectare
Landscape Nursery, which will provide the destination with over 15 million plants, is now fully
operational. More than 7,000 workers are actively present on site, and 80 kilometers of new
roads, including the new airport road, have been completed to better link the destination. This
vast new complex is to be constructed at the seashore lines of Tabuk province and throughout
ninety small islands on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. The primary development will span
28,000 square kilometers of territory between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh (Hussain, Z.
2017).
The predominant purpose of the project is to boom Saudi Arabia’s attraction to travelers from
across the world. Over the last few years, the government has been progressively investing in its
travel and tourism sector and infrastructure, with the Red Sea Project, being among the most
visible examples. The project initiative is expected to result in the creation of 70,000 new
employment once completed.
Aside from this, another purpose of this project is to develop resorts that appreciate and maintain
the red sea coastline’s local nature. The current project involves the development of resorts that
will preserve the region's wildlife and environment's long-term viability. In the long run, the
region is expected to be carbon neutral, with no plastic being used in any of the proposed hotels.
2. Sustainable Tourism
Tourism has played a huge part in promoting different cultures around the globe. According to
Higgins-Desbiolles, (2018). It enables individuals to meet people from different walks of life and
experience different activities and traditions. However, the tourist industry is changing and
focusing more on maintainable the travel industry which alludes to travel that considers the

natural, social, and economical aspects of the travel industry and makes appropriate changes to
moderate these unfortunate results. It considers the interest of travelers, in addition to those of
host communities, neighborhood organizations, and the environment.
2.1 Importance of Sustainable Tourism
The main issue of incorporating sustainability into a business strategy has become a critical
consideration for a wide range of businesses, including those in the tourist and hospitality
industries. Both tourist and corporate benefits have relied heavily on sustainability. It's also
significant because tourism, as part of a vast economy, creates an environment that has a social
influence on our world, and its growth is tied to all elements of sustainability (Lassala, Apetrei,
& Sapena, 2017). Sustainable tourism is important for Saudi Arabia because it’s a home for
Muslims and every year around the world tourist visit it for prayer purposes so the government
of Saudi has introduced many projects with the aim of not eradicating any natural environment
and promoting nature in their projects.
Saudi Arabia has a cultural legacy as well as a matchstick and natural scenery; nevertheless, in
recent years, the kingdom has been working behind the scenes to open up the nation's upcountry
to tourists as part of a border strategy to lessen the country's economic reliance on oil. By 2030,
the tourist sector is planning to attract $133 billion in foreign investment, achieving the country's
single aim set in the Vision 2030 (Muigua, 2018). The Country is on the urge to complete the red
sea project while also aiming to stay for the by simply counteracting any negative environmental
impact by aspiring to new standards that would regenerate sustainability for the environment
while also increasing biodiversity in the tourism industry.
2.2 Environmental Impact
According to Fallatah et al., (2021) The red sea project aims to grow the biodiversity region by
30% over the next two decades. This is accomplished through improving ecologically varied
ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass, corals, and terrestrial vegetation. Green concrete, as
well as off-site production, are being used throughout the destination to assist decrease waste and
the human effect of building construction on-site. The Red Sea Project, which spans 28,000
square kilometers of pristine lands and waterways on Saudi Arabia's west coast, promotes
infrastructure that emphasizes water conservation and reuse, as well as a circular waste
management system to attain zero waste to landfills.

2.3 socio – Economic Impact
According to Shay., (2017). Tourism is the kingdom’s second most significant sector, the Red
Sea Project will lead to the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s leisure industry. This
project initiative intends to expand the Kingdom's tourist offers in order to develop a year-round
hospitality sector, as well as promote cultural preservation and economic stimulation via local
and international investments and spending, as specified in Vision 2030. Once it is up and
running, it is expected to contribute SAR 15 billion to the Kingdom's GDP per year, as well as
create up to 35,000 employees.
2.4 Cultural Impact
In the vision of the 2030 project for the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia, tourism will increase so will
the cultural importance of the country. Tourism will provide cultural benefits: such as the
demand or display of the local arts, dance forms, local foods, and the exchange of ideas among
the individuals. The project has incorporated the different styles of cutleries and different food to
promote the Saudi culture.
3. Challenges
The red sea project is a totally new idea not just in Saudi Arabia but anywhere else in the world.
The approach to regenerative tourism is to the fact that they are building something that will run
on 100% renewable energy. This comes with challenges that require novel solutions. Such as
having the experts on the list to deal with the technologies and maintain the decorum of the
project. Another potential big obstacle for the Saudi Red Sea Project is intense competition from
neighboring nations that have invested heavily in tourism. For example, the United Arab
Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, etc.), Egypt, Jordan, and Israel have all invested heavily in tourism
and are reaping enormous rewards. For instance, the Dubai Expo center has attracted a lot of
tourism due to its unique way of describing all cultures in one place (Fine el at., 2019). The Red
Sea Project is creating a lavish experiencing hotel not only above the ground but under the sea as
well. The project is also sustaining the environment and natural habitats to give a new vacation
stop with new experiences.

3.1 Benefits of sustainable tourism
The benefit of incorporating sustainable tourism in the red sea project will lower the ecological
impact. It will promote the local food and companies to the traveler which will help the country
to generate money from them and also introduce the traveler to their traditional dishes. Another
benefit is it will keep the environment clean as the project aim to regenerate energy from waste
material. They additionally included safeguarding the climate and the species that call it home,
as well as supporting the nearby local communities residing in closeness to the destinations.
3.2 Sustainable Tourism Best Practice
Engage, Educate and consult with stakeholders to help inform and guide future plans and
action.
The travel industry stakeholders panel ought to be laid out, which welcome the destination
administration association (DMO), government, Indigenous community group, local, and tourist
firms. To create a shared vocabulary and knowledge of sustainable tourism, the potential it
brings for the destination, and the hazards associated with doing nothing or going too slowly, the
committee should receive introductory training on sustainable tourism. This group should meet
at least once every three months to help lead, inform, and learn about the next steps (Laitamak et
al, 2016).
Establish baseline
Budeanu et al, (2016) claimed that it's critical to do a baseline assessment of the present
sustainability performance. It considers the area of the destination, and resources found in the
destination. This will allow gaps between where the destination will perform well and where
there is room for improvement to be identified. The baseline analysis is very important before
starting the project.
Set clear goals and identify the specific actions to achieve those goals.
Laying out your standard can help with figuring out where the objective succeeds and where it
needs to move along. This will then assist in doing smart analysis to create objectives. This
strategy and action plan should be understood by impacted stakeholders and, preferably,
authorized by them, as well as evolved to supplement and support your current destination
development procedure and objectives (Alshammaa, 2019).

3.3Practical Application
The research helped in understanding that in the future the practice of sustainable tourism can
encourage Tolerance amongst individuals of various ethnicities and origins, while accepting the
realities and socio-cultural truths of each particular community It encourages the upkeep,
restoration, and preservation of collective or national tourism sites. It also aided in anticipating
the importance of natural resources in people's lives, without which we would be nothing on this
planet.
4.Conclusion
The report concludes that the Red Sea project is the mega project introduced by the government
of Saudi Arabia in order to enhance tourism in their country. This project includes 100%
sustainable energy (through solar and wind power 24 hours a day), water generation, and trash
management. Clean Mobility Strategy means only hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles will
be able to operate at the destination etc this all will only promote sustainable tourism. This
project will be the future of the next generation.

References
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