Saudi Arabia’s Luxury Tourism Expansion: Four Seasons Resort Opens on Shura Island

Red Sea Global (RSG) has officially marked a significant milestone in the development of its flagship destination, with the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island scheduled to welcome its first guests on May 20, 2026. This launch represents the first joint venture-developed property within the RSG portfolio to enter the market, signaling a new phase in the organization’s growth strategy.

A Strategic Partnership for Growth

The resort is the result of a 50-50 joint venture between Red Sea Global and Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). The project, valued at SAR 2.6 billion, was supported by SAR 2 billion ($522 million) in debt financing provided by Riyad Bank. This collaboration underscores the increasing importance of institutional and private sector partnerships in the acceleration of Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s Vision 2030 goals.

John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, emphasized the commercial significance of the opening. “Launching reservations for the first joint venture-developed resort in our portfolio is also an important commercial milestone for RSG, demonstrating the value of strategic partnerships, the strength of our investment proposition and reflecting growing market confidence in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector,” Pagano stated.

Design and Sustainability in the Red Sea

Located on the eastern tip of Shura Island, the resort features 149 accommodations and 31 Resort Residences. The architecture is designed to integrate with the natural surroundings, with units opening fully to the outdoors and crystal-clear waters bordering three sides of the property. The facility includes diverse dining options, ranging from plant-forward specialties at Sea Green to Levantine and Italian cuisine.

In alignment with RSG’s broader regenerative tourism principles, the resort operates entirely on renewable energy. It incorporates advanced water and waste management systems designed to minimize environmental impact, reflecting the developer’s goal of achieving a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040.

Scaling Operations and Infrastructure

The opening coincides with a period of increased activity for The Red Sea destination. Following occupancy levels that reached 82% during the final 10 days of Ramadan, RSG is scaling its operational capacity. To manage the anticipated surge in demand leading up to Eid Al-Adha, the developer has added 32 additional flights to the Red Sea International Airport (RSI).

Key Takeaways

• Resort Capacity: The new property features 149 accommodations and 31 Resort Residences.
• Joint Venture: The project is a 50-50 partnership between Red Sea Global and Kingdom Holding Company.
• Sustainability: The resort is powered by 100% renewable energy and utilizes advanced conservation systems.
• Destination Growth: There are currently 11 hotels open at The Red Sea, with six additional resorts planned for Shura Island in the coming months.

The Red Sea destination, which began welcoming guests in 2023, is designed to host a maximum of 1 million visitors annually to protect its delicate ecosystems. As Shura Island approaches full operation in 2026, it stands as a focal point for the region’s luxury tourism ambitions, supported by infrastructure that connects the destination to major international hubs, including Milan, Dubai, and Doha.

For more information on reservations and property details, guests can visit the official Four Seasons website.