SAUDI ARABIA. Marriott International has signed an agreement with The Red Sea Development Company (Red Sea Global) to bring its prestigious Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand to a location off the west coast of Saudi Arabia in 2023.
The venture will be known as the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve. It will form part of a wider project to establish the Red Sea destination as a location for super-premium leisure experiences.
Marriott International said Nujuma will blend “intuitive and heartfelt service with stunning natural beauty and indigenous design”. It will become the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the Middle East, and one of only five worldwide. The others are located in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Nujuma will be situated on a set of private islands, which are part of the Red Sea’s Blue Hole cluster of islands. The resort is expected to feature 63 one to four bedroom water and beach villas.
Plans also include a range of luxurious amenities and services including a lavish spa, swimming pools, multiple culinary venues, a retail area and a variety of other leisure and entertainment offerings including a conservation centre.
Luxury living: The villas of the Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort will be part of a super-premium leisure experience
The destination is also expected to include 18 Ritz-Carlton Reserve branded residences, offering owners a “one-of-a-kind living experience”, according to Marriott International.
The Nujuma development will form part of the Red Sea Project, an ambitious regenerative tourism initiative. The project covers 28,000sq m on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, of which less than 1% will be developed.
Marriott International said the destination is expected to offer a new type of barefoot luxury experience and is being developed with the highest standards of sustainability.
The Red Sea Project area features an archipelago of more than 90 untouched natural islands, as well as dormant volcanoes, sweeping desert dunes, mountains and wadis. It also contains more than 1,600 cultural heritage sites.
Marriott International Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa Jerome Briet said: “We are thrilled to bring our most luxurious brand, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and its exemplary experience to the Middle East.
“Perfectly situated on one of the most anticipated regenerative tourism projects in the world, the resort will blend seclusion and sophistication to provide a highly personalised luxury escape.”
The Red Sea Development Company is wholly-owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. It is driving the Red Sea Project and has a brief to position Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map.
Company CEO John Pagano said: “I am excited to welcome Ritz-Carlton Reserve into the fold of our luxury collection of brands for The Red Sea. Around the world, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are synonymous with providing unique luxury experiences and creating personalised meaningful escapes, underpinned by a commitment to sustainable practices.
“As we inch closer to opening our first resorts early next year, this world-class brand is sure to excite and entice future guests.”
Note: The Saudi Travel & Tourism Ecosystem Report, to be published in July in Arabic and English by The Moodie Davitt Report, will take a deep dive into one of the world’s most exciting, environmentally conscious, investment-heavy and fast-growing travel, tourism and aviation markets.
Contents include:
- Vision 2030 – featuring the world’s most ambitious tourism blueprint
- Saudi Arabia’s tourism revolution: How state and private interests are transforming the sector
- Red Sea Global – CEO John Pagano on an “epic” regenerative giga-project
- In profile: Riyadh Airports company transforms its consumer proposition
- Tourism Development Fund: Unlocking the Kingdom’s vast potential
- Hilton: Interview with an emerging super-power in Saudi tourism
- How the Saudi Air Connectivity Program is bringing the world to Saudi Arabia
- The fast-evolving airport commercial landscape: From duty free to food & beverage to advertising
- daa International builds its Saudi footprint
- Jedco looks forward
- Saudi Airlines Catering Company – from inflight retail to catering
- Accor: Full speed ahead for the hospitality giant
- Diriyah Gate Development Authority: The extraordinary story of Saudi Arabia’s first cultural heritage destination
Plus interviews with key figures across the country’s tourism, aviation, retail and mixed-leisure sectors
Publishing in Arabic and English this July
For details please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com
