Since it opened to tourists for the first time in 2019 and especially post-pandemic, Saudi Arabia has been heavily investing in increasing tourism’s contribution to GDP, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the country’s economy from oil.
One of the regions the gulf country is developing is the Red Sea coast and, this month, the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has launched a campaign titled “More Than a Sea”, which presents the plan of sustainably growing the area. The campaign revolves around four main pillars of SRSA’s roles: regulations, sustainability, attracting investments and promoting tourism experiences that highlight its contributions toward building a thriving coastal tourism sector.
1. Sea of experiences
In line with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to diversify income sources, SRSA’s goals for the coastal tourism sector is to contribute 85 billion SAR (€20.4 billion) to the GDP by 2030, increase spending to reach 123 billion SAR (€29.5 billion) and create 210,000 jobs during the same period.
“The 1,800 km Red Sea coastline features over 150 beaches, over 1,000 islands and 130 cultural, historical and biological assets”, SRSA says. “It is rich in natural beauty, enchanting treasures and wonders, over 20 blue holes, over 500 diving sites and diverse culture and heritage, including traditions, customs, architecture, clothing and over 50 traditional dishes.”
The campaign highlights the authority’s efforts to promote a variety of coastal tourism activities such as cruise ships, yachts, diving, snorkeling, recreational fishing, recreational boats and beach activities, along with encouraging tourists and visitors to explore and live a unique coastal experience in the Red Sea.
2. Sea of sustainability
When it comes to sustainability, More Than a Sea emphasizes SRSA’s objectives in environmental protection, by leading the efforts with relevant entities from the public and private sectors to develop a mechanism that ensures the protection of the marine environment.
The taken initiatives include fostering the growth of blue economy, preserving natural assets and pristine resources in the Red Sea, contributing to the production of nautical maps that define safe routes and protect coral reefs, as well as installing mooring buoys, weather monitoring stations and waste management at marinas.
3. Sea of regulations
Rooted in SRSA’s duties, the campaign focuses on its regulatory role in setting policies, strategies, plans, programs and initiatives necessary for regulating navigational and marine tourism activities, issuing licenses and permits, and preparing the infrastructure for these activities.
So far, 6 licenses have been issued to marinas, 7 licenses have been issued to maritime tourism agents, 7 regulations have been issued for navigational and marine tourism activities, 19 government entities have been led by SRSA to create the first nautical map of the tourism geographic scope and 6 infrastructure development codes have been approved for the coastal tourism sector.
4. Sea of investment
Lastly, SRSA argues that the diverse experiences and activities along the Red Sea present an investment opportunity for local and international investors alike. “The unique environmental, cultural and social advantages of the Red Sea, make it an attractive destination for tourists and a valuable asset to the national economy”, the authority says.
To encourage investment, SRSA provides incentives and facilitation, streamlining procedures with the tourism ecosystem and relevant entities, and offers administrative, technical and advisory support to all investors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
