You can visit Saudi’s Red Sea - and still have no idea how big it really is.

In this episode of Saudi Life: Unpacked, Frankie and Lily sit down with Olly from The Red Sea to unpack what’s really happening behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism projects. From Desert Rock and Six Senses to SLS, St. Regis and the upcoming wellness destination Amala, this conversation goes far beyond beautiful resorts. We explore the stories behind the architecture, the meaning of Saudi hospitality and “hafawa,” the untouched landscapes of the Red Sea, and why this destination feels completely different from anywhere else in the region.

We also dive into the adventure side of The Red Sea from surfing and diving to yacht clubs, wellness retreats, golf courses and family Eid escapes, and why so many expats are now choosing to holiday within Saudi instead of flying abroad.

If you’re planning your escape for Eid, this episode might just convince you to book The Red Sea next. This episode is a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Saudi Arabia is building an entirely new luxury travel destination in real time - and why the rest of the world is starting to pay attention

SHOW NOTES

Why Saudi’s Red Sea is unlike anywhere else in the region
The vision behind The Red Sea destination development
Desert Rock, Six Senses, SLS, St. Regis Shura Island explained
The stories and Saudi culture behind the architecture
What “hafawa” means and why Saudi hospitality feels different
Adventure experiences: surfing, diving, wakeboarding golf
The upcoming wellness destination Amala explained Yacht clubs, wellness retreats luxury travel in Saudi
Why expats are now choosing Saudi for staycations Eid escapes
What’s opening at The Red Sea this year Family-friendly experiences Eid activations Olly's personal recommendations for where to stay
Why Saudi tourism is moving faster than anywhere else in the world
The future of travel in Saudi Arabia

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