Is the Red Sea the new Maldives?

The Red Sea is the first island archipelago destination to be completely powered by renewable energy and developed sustainably for tourism. It may not have quite the reputation that the Maldives has, being one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations for the past five decades, but it has emerged recently as a pioneering destination for sustainable travel in ways you would not expect. This is not simply a pledge to be more environmentally conscious, but a strategy that will ensure that when you arrive at the Red Sea International Airport, everything from the airport itself to the bedside lamp in your hotel room will be entirely powered by solar energy. The project is called Red Sea Global, and by 2030 it aims to have the entire region set up sustainably for tourism, so that guests can experience a new dimension of luxury.

Access is provided via the Red Sea International Airport which is a shorter flight compared to the Maldives from many major international hubs, with more direct flights from Europe and the rest of the world coming soon. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the quiet desert dunes and a concierge service that transfers you by seaplane, luxury yacht, or electric vehicle over a short distance to your destination. This is a distinctly different setting from the Maldives International Airport on Malé Island, where you fly into the epicenter of a city with a population denser than Mumbai. The Red Sea might not be quite as popular as the Maldives yet, but your journey will begin in a slightly more serene way.

Whilst the Maldives is relatively flat, the Red Sea coastline is flanked with mountain terrains, mangrove forests, desert dunes, and homes the fourth largest barrier reef in the world, offering a whole host of activities that go beyond many beachside destinations. The water is a clear, azure blue, and a light westerly wind blows across its surface, maintaining the perfect temperature for bright coral and a variety of marine life to thrive. From butterflyfish to bottlenose dolphins, you might glimpse a variety of species that are unique to the region and can be experienced via snorkelling or the PADI diving centre. There is also kayaking, kitesurfing and paddle boarding on offer from all the resorts, as well as day trips to the mainland to explore further afield.

Additionally, you will be amongst the first to explore the reef, which only opened for tourism in 2023. Saudi might be late to the game in developing its coastal resort infrastructure, but it has the advantage of learning from the environmental challenges faced by other nations. In the Maldives, rapid resort expansion has contributed to coastal erosion and coral bleaching, but by developing the coastline sustainably, Red Sea Global has found an effective way to avoid this. They have introduced what they call ‘regenerative tourism’, which involves not only preserving the natural environment, but rejuvenating it by 30% in the next five years. The reef will only get richer in colour, the landscape more luscious, and the region increasingly beautiful.

The Maldives might have a myriad of overwater villas, but none that are egg-shell shaped and completely powered by solar energy. At the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton, almost everything is egg shaped, from the bedrooms to the giant bread oven in the Sita dining area, where you can delight in watching fresh dough being kneaded, baked and served warm directly onto your plate, or get involved in the process through traditional cookery classes. If you are feeling less like comfort food and more like something fresh, there is always the option of seafood served in the Tabrah restaurant, which draws on age old recipes in honour of the fishermen who have laboured on the sea’s bounty for generations.

Slightly inland and buried amongst the rocky desert is the Six Senses Southern Dunes resort, which blends into the landscape with its sandy toned architecture. Its high, slanted ceilings are designed to let in the natural light and minimise energy requirements, so if you are an early riser its best to leave the blinds open at night and wake up to Mother Nature showcasing her finest work: a cinematic display of hazy, amber sky spilling over golden dunes as the first light envelopes the desert.

If you are wise, you will stay wrapped up in your Pima cotton bedsheets sipping on a tea to watch this sunlit spectacle unfold. The bedrooms are cosy, accompanied by their own sun terrace, and tastefully furnished with artisan rugs, throws and ceiling tapestries, which are hand-woven by local Umluj Sadu women. They spin native wool with natural fibres to produce high quality textiles, and if you share an appreciation for their designs, you might consider purchasing one through the resort, which sells their products in support of their entrepreneurship and the tradition of Sadu weaving.

Further out at sea, St Regis Sea Resort invites guests to indulge serenity on its own private island. Designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma, its interiors pay homage to the biodiversity of the surrounding reef, featuring avant-garde organic forms with hues of deep, algae green and cerulean blue. The retreat features 90 villas, decked with copper-silver ionization treated pools to eliminate chemicals, and solar powered filtration systems for high-quality drinking water and air conditioning. Whilst the Maldives can provide luxury, it cannot provide an entirely solar powered space-age retreat like the one St. Regis has on offer. The Red Sea destinations offer a new dimension of luxury.

Blog written by Felicity Stephenson.