How Saudi Arabia is ‘unlocking the value of the Red Sea’ in new tourism drive

How Saudi Arabia is ‘unlocking the value of the Red Sea’ in new tourism drive

Sailing past pristine islands and turquoise lagoons, the first cruise ship offering Saudi tours serves a twin purpose - jump-starting tourism despite coronavirus fears and showcasing austerity-defying megaprojects planned along the Red Sea.

In August, the cruise liner Silver Spirit began offering tours along the unspoilt coastline which the petro-state aspires to turn into a global tourism and investment hotspot as part of a plan to reduce reliance on oil revenue.

Despite a pause in global travel, tourism in Saudi Arabia has much to celebrate this National Day

Chartered by a company owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the luxury ship offers a window into multi-billion-dollar "giga projects" that the kingdom is forging ahead with despite a sharp economic downturn.

"We are introducing the Red Sea to the world," Tourism Minister Ahmed al-Khatib