Red Sea Global group CEO John Pagano talks to Economy Middle East about the company’s efforts at balancing luxury and sustainability while keeping in mind Saudi culture and heritage.
In partnership with daa International and Arabian Petroleum Supply, RSG recently introduced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Red Sea International Airport, marking a first for Saudi Arabia. How do you see this initiative shaping the future of sustainable travel in the country?
This year we announced a deal to bring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to the Kingdom for the first time. Our SAF supply is blended at 35 percent SAF and 65 percent standard Jet A1, which reduces the produced carbon emissions resulting directly from each aircraft that uses this fuel by up to 35 percent.
Airlines operating at RSI now have the option of refueling using SAF. RSG’s subsidiary air operator, Fly Red Sea, which provides seaplane transfer, charter and scenic tour services across our destinations, will refuel its fleet exclusively with fuels that ensure aviation is more sustainable such as SAF.
By bringing SAF into the kingdom, we are dramatically reducing our guests’ personal carbon footprint from the moment they arrive to after they leave. Beyond this, we’re supporting the wider aviation sector to start making choices that are better for the environment.
With Saudi Arabia positioning itself as a global tourism leader under Vision 2030, how does Red Sea Global contribute to this vision, and what developments can tourists expect this 2025?
RSG has established itself as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification under Vision 2030. Our flagship destinations are already making significant contributions to the kingdom’s tourism sector by creating employment opportunities, attracting global travelers, and fostering partnerships with local businesses.
As RSG expands its portfolio, we continue to solidify our position as a catalyst for transformative economic development and a global benchmark for regenerative tourism. This year is set to be a defining chapter for RSG, with our 25 in 25 plan — that is 25 world-class resorts across our flagship destinations by the end of 2025. At the forefront of this expansion is the opening of Shura Island at The Red Sea, featuring 11 exceptional resorts, each offering unique luxury experiences, designed to harmonize with the region’s breathtaking natural landscapes. Meanwhile, AMAALA will debut its first collection of resorts at Triple Bay, with eight groundbreaking properties that redefine wellness, luxury, and innovation.
These additions join the five resorts already operational at The Red Sea and the ultra-exclusive Thuwal Private Retreat, completing the journey to 25 extraordinary destinations. This milestone not only represents the ambitious physical expansion of RSG’s destinations but also reinforces its commitment to creating diverse, sustainable, and interconnected developments that set a new global standard in luxury and regenerative tourism.
Added to this, we recently revealed the first properties in our residential proposition, including Four Seasons Private Residences, Ennismore’s SLS Residences, and soon, Shura Marina Residences. With more residential communities to be revealed throughout this year, we are offering a rare opportunity to own part of our luxury destinations along the Red Sea coast.
As Red Sea Global continues to grow, what strategies are in place to attract international visitors? Are there specific regions or traveler demographics you’re targeting, and how do you plan to position the Red Sea as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map?
In the early days, marketing The Red Sea and AMAALA was about introducing the world to a region that had never been explored for tourism at any scale. But now, as visitors begin to arrive, the focus shifts from vision to real-life experience.
We’re leaning into the Saudi tradition of Hafawah – genuine, caring hospitality from the heart – because what stays with people isn’t just the landscapes – it’s the individuals they meet, the stories they hear – and it’s this that they will share with their friends and family back home.
For The Red Sea, these stories are already unfolding. Award-winning underwater photographer Tobias Friedrich has captured never-before-seen images of the region’s marine biodiversity, showcasing its thriving coral reefs and wildlife. Travel journalists have started to explore uninhabited islands, ancient volcanic landscapes, and waters that had remained closed to the world for centuries. Red Sea Fashion Week was another milestone — an event where designers drew inspiration from the destination itself, with many more exciting moments still to come.
The key to promoting destinations like Shebara is ensuring each location’s unique identity is brought to life. The resort’s distinctive stainless-steel overwater villas, set against a backdrop of pristine natural beauty are already iconic, grabbing international attention and becoming emblematic of our commitment to harmonizing sustainability with luxury.
Desert Rock is equally alluring, carved into the mountainside so that guests can be truly at one with nature. Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, which blends seamlessly with the desertscape. And of course, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which are both creating waves on social media due to their distinctive designs and especially the overwater villas, showing the world the turquoise waters of Saudi’s Red Sea coast.
Luxury and sustainability are sometimes seen as opposing forces. How does RSG balance high-end, world-class hospitality with environmental responsibility, and do you think this balance is shaping the future of global tourism?
For us, luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Today’s luxury traveler wants to be as close to nature as they can be, a trend called barefoot luxury. At the same time, they want to know that when they travel, they are doing no harm. As highlighted in Booking.com’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Report, 83 percent of travelers say that sustainable travel is important.
We are celebrating this redefinition of luxury tourism and have placed sustainability at the core of our developments. From integrating LEED-certified infrastructure, targeting WELL certification for our offices and residences, and using renewable energy systems to employing design principles that minimize environmental impact, we ensure our destinations seamlessly harmonize with their natural surroundings. Conservation-led initiatives, such as the restoration of mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs, go beyond sustainability to have a regenerative impact.
Added to this, visitor numbers are carefully managed to align with the ecological carrying capacity of each destination, ensuring that exclusive guest experiences coexist with the preservation and enhancement of the environment. This deliberate approach not only reduces environmental impact but deepens guests’ connection to the region’s stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
By striking this delicate balance, RSG demonstrates that luxury and sustainability are not only compatible but can thrive together. This pioneering model sets new benchmarks for global tourism, offering a harmonious blend of opulence and environmental stewardship that redefines what it means to travel responsibly.
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